Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced plans for a five-phase plan to support the reconstruction and revitalization of Syria.
This will include improvements in the air, road, railway, port and communication sectors.
Uraloglu stated that initial assessments were made at Damascus and Aleppo airports, and they aim to restore Damascus Airport through Türkiye’s Directorate General of State Airports (DHMI).
The plan also includes re-establishing the railway connection to Damascus, thus reviving parts of the Hejaz Railway project.
Why it matters
The reconstruction of Syria, particularly in terms of infrastructure, will not only help rebuild the war-torn country, but will also strengthen Türkiye’s regional influence. The revival of railway lines and the improvement of air and road networks between the two countries could facilitate stronger economic ties and cooperation.
Uraloglu’s comments indicate a strategic move to restore Türkiye’s pivotal role in the region.
Details
- On infrastructure of Syria: Uraloglu emphasized that Syria is in dire need of rebuilding its infrastructure, especially in terms of transportation and communication. He explained Türkiye will assist in revitalizing Syrian airports, railways and highways.
- On Türkiye’s transport achievements: Uraloglu highlighted Türkiye’s progress in infrastructure, from increasing divided highways from 6,101 kilometers (3790.9 miles) to 29,700 kilometers since 2002 to improving high-speed train networks. He also mentioned the growth in air traffic and the expansion of airports, particularly Istanbul and Sabiha Gokcen.
- On current situation in Syria: Uraloglu outlined Türkiye’s plan to address Syria’s urgent needs, such as communication and currency issues. He mentioned that Syria’s currency is currently printed by Russia, reflecting the country’s dependency and the broader geopolitical context.
Zoom in
Regarding railway restoration, Uraloglu explained that Türkiye will work to restore parts of the Hejaz railway project that were halted for years, with plans to reconnect Syria to Turkey via rail.
He also noted that Türkiye has a history of sending passenger trains to Syria in the late 2000s. Despite challenges such as stolen railway materials, Türkiye aims to restore these vital links.
Zoom out
Uraloglu’s remarks about Syria’s communications infrastructure revealed the gap between Syria and Türkiye, with Syria being 20–30 years behind in terms of communication technology.
This offers Türkiye an opportunity to assist in further development, helping Syria regain communication capabilities and addressing essential needs in the country.
