Türkiye and Saudi Arabia aim to build a rail link with Jordan and Syria.
Massive Rail Project to Connect Gulf Countries to Europe via Turkey Under New Ankara-Riyadh Logistics Pact
Massive Rail Project to Connect Gulf Countries to Europe via Turkey Under New Ankara-Riyadh Logistics Pact
Turkey and Saudi Arabia have agreed on a historic infrastructure project that is set to radically transform regional trade. Spearheaded by both nations, the project aims to complete a railway network connecting the Gulf and Anatolia via Jordan and Syria within the next 3 to 4 years. Authorities state that other regional countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Yemen, will also be integrated into the system in later stages.
An Alternative Route to the Strait of Hormuz
Sharing details about the development, the Ministry of Transport emphasized that this strategic line will serve as a crucial buffer against global energy and trade crises. The highway/rail system network is specifically designed to bypass the logistics bottlenecks and risks currently plaguing the Strait of Hormuz due to instability in Iran. Initially designed for transporting commercial goods, oil, natural gas, and passengers, the line will allow cargo loaded in the Middle East to seamlessly reach deep into Europe.
Current Progress at the Borders: The 400-Kilometer Missing Link
A look at the current status of the project reveals that a significant portion of the tracks is already in place. Saudi Arabia’s domestic networks have already been extended up to the Jordanian border. On the Turkish side, rail connections between Islahiye, Kilis, and Gaziantep near the Syrian border are complete. For the project to operate seamlessly, a remaining 400-kilometer corridor between Syria and Jordan needs to be constructed. Once this gap is closed, it will not only yield commercial benefits for the region's population but also provide immense travel convenience for the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Rebuilding Syria and the Aleppo Line
Following the sweeping changes in Damascus at the end of 2024, Turkey has renewed its relations with Syria and is now leveraging logistics to help its neighbor rebuild. Under a financing plan soon to be finalized, an initial budget of approximately $100 million will be allocated to restore the historical railway line between Turkey and Aleppo to its original state. This move will pave the way for a direct and secure trade corridor stretching from Gaziantep all the way to Damascus.