Egyptian gas pipeline bombed

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CAIRO, July 23 (UPI) -- Natural gas supplies in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt were shut down following an explosion on a natural gas pipeline in the area, a security official said.

Security officials confirmed to the Egyptian Independent newspaper that the primary natural gas pipeline meant to deliver supplies to Israel was bombed for the 15th time since the Egyptian revolution in 2011.

Pipeline operators denied suggestions that natural gas supplies to Israel had been restarted, however. The pipeline was in service at the time of the bombing, though it wasn't delivering supplies to downstream consumers.

The last attack on the pipeline was reported in April. Utility companies in Jordan, which gets some of its gas from Egypt, warned that power cuts may be in the forecast during the summer months in part because of problems with natural gas supplies.

The Jordanian government has considered securing natural gas supplies from its neighbors. In June, Iraq approved a memorandum of understanding that spells out the terms for a natural gas pipeline to the port of Aqaba.

Lawmakers in Cairo have questioned bilateral gas deals with Israel as the post-revolutionary government takes shape.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.