Infrastructure problems disrupt Internet to Syria

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s telecommunications company says its Internet services to neighboring Syria have come to a halt due to infrastructure problems in the war-torn country.

A statement from Turk Telekom, carried by the state-run Anadolu on Thursday, denied reports it had shut down Internet connections to Syria, insisting the interruption was linked to problems in “Syria’s own fiber optic infrastructure.”

It says the company has not been able to provide services since Aug. 11.

Renesys Corp., a firm that tracks Internet pathways, said Wednesday that a Hong Kong-based company is keeping Syria connected to the Internet as other telecommunications companies, including Turk Telekom, withdraw.

Turkey has imposed sanctions on Syria but insists they are aimed against the regime and not the Syrian people. It is continuing to provide electricity to the country.