Turkish-Saudi rail that bypasses Israel to link to Jordan and Syria, minister says

Turkey and Saudi Arabia are collaborating on an ambitious railway project designed to link the two nations with Jordan and Syria, with completion anticipated within three to four years. Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced the plan, emphasizing its strategic importance in bypassing Israel and potentially reducing its regional influence.

The memorandum of understanding signed between Ankara and Riyadh for logistics cooperation and the railway sector positions this project as a significant geopolitical development. Supporters have suggested it could deliver a "fatal blow" to a U.S.-Israeli initiative aimed at connecting India with the Middle East, Israel, and Europe, a plan that has stalled due to the distant prospect of Israeli-Saudi normalization and demands for Palestinian statehood.

Initially, the railway will focus on transporting goods, oil, natural gas, and people between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Jordan, and Syria, with aspirations to extend the route to Europe. Uraloglu stated that the route from Saudi Arabia to Jordan's border is complete, and the Turkish side has finished its segment from Islahiye to Gaziantep. A gap of approximately 400 kilometers remains between Syria and Jordan.

Future phases of the project envision the inclusion of other Gulf states, such as the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and possibly Yemen. Beyond commercial trade, the railway could also serve pilgrims during the annual Muslim hajj. The Turkish minister indicated that a financial plan, including an estimated $100 million for rebuilding the Turkey-Syria route, would be developed.

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A train leaving from Saudi Arabia, from Riyadh already reaches several regions of Saudi Arabia. So this is a project for it to reach Turkey via Jordan and Syria. We are talking about a route that will carry every type of freight via this route to Europe.