Türkiye and Saudi Arabia are aiming to establish a railway connection linking the two countries through Syria and Jordan within the next three to four years, according to Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu.
The proposed route would form part of a wider regional transport network connecting the Gulf to Europe and could eventually include several other Arab states.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Uraloğlu said the project would strengthen trade links and provide an alternative transport corridor at a time of growing concerns over disruptions to maritime routes in the region.
He said the railway could help ease future challenges caused by instability affecting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important shipping lanes.
According to Uraloğlu, much of the infrastructure already exists.
The rail connection from Riyadh to Jordan's border has been completed, while on the Turkish side the route already extends to Kilis and Gaziantep near the Syrian border.
The main challenge is a missing section of around 400 kilometres between Syria and Jordan.
A financial framework for the project is now being prepared.
Uraloğlu said investment plans include around $100 million to restore the railway between Türkiye and the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, creating a direct rail link that could eventually extend to Damascus.
Beyond commercial transport, the railway could also serve millions of Muslim pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia each year for the Hajj.
Supporters of the project believe it could reduce transport costs, boost regional trade and strengthen economic ties between countries across the Middle East.
The plan comes as Syria seeks to rebuild its infrastructure after more than a decade of conflict.
Since the fall of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad at the end of 2024, Türkiye has developed close relations with the new authorities in Damascus and has pledged support for reconstruction efforts.
If completed, the railway would mark one of the most ambitious regional transport projects in recent years, linking Gulf economies directly to Türkiye and opening a new overland route to European markets.
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan all reported blackouts on Friday, which Kazakhstan’...
U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to make the Strait of Hormuz part of U.S. territory have been mocked by Iran's Deputy Foreign Ministe...
At least 20 people have been killed after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off eastern Indonesia early on Saturday, ...
Hundreds of flights have been cancelled or rerouted at Catania Airport over the past week as ash from Mount Etna’s ongoing eruption continues to disrupt air travel in Sicily.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over the strategic waterway and insisting it will not reopen until Washington fulfils its commitments under an interim deal.
The U.S. will impose unprecedented measures on Iran in order to economically isolate the country, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said.
One person has been killed and six others injured after an explosion at a petroleum storage facility at the Port of Rotterdam, prompting an investigation into the cause.
Record rainfall in Japan killed eight people and stranded thousands of travellers at Tokyo's Narita Airport on Friday, as flooding disrupted transport and cut power to 20,000 homes.
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan all reported blackouts on Friday, which Kazakhstan’s Energy Ministry said had been caused by a "sudden change in the power flow" from the Central Asian grid.
The United Nations has urged sustained international engagement with Afghanistan five years into Taliban rule, warning that restrictions on women and terrorism concerns risk undermining gains from improved security.
Iran says the U.S. war and military presence in the region have worsened marine pollution around the Strait of Hormuz, calling for environmental protection to form part of future arrangements governing the strategic waterway.
Georgia could gain a direct electricity link to Europe under plans for a new overland energy corridor connecting Azerbaijan, Georgia, Türkiye and Bulgaria, potentially reshaping regional power flows.
Türkiye has unveiled plans for joint military exercises and defence production with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan under a new security pact that includes a collective defence clause.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment