Syria is seeking to use its geographic position to revive its economy and restore its role as a transit corridor linking the Gulf countries, the Mediterranean, and Europe. Following disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, around 5,000 oil trucks cross the Syrian desert every day, carrying oil from southern Iraqi refineries to the port of Baniyas. Donald Trump shared The Washington Post report about the development, calling it “remarkable,” while U.S. envoy Tom Barrack thanked Syria.
The route began operating in April as a temporary Iraqi measure to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, where shipments halted amid the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran. It is now being considered as the basis for a larger project: Washington intends to support the construction of a Chevron pipeline with a capacity of around 2 million barrels per day. The approximately 1,600-kilometer pipeline could cost $5.7 billion, and construction would take at least two and a half years.
According to Barrack, the new route could make the Strait of Hormuz less important, although it would not be able to fully replace maritime transport. The contract is expected to be signed in September, with Chevron, TotalEnergies, and Syrian and Qatari investors participating. Qatar is considering extending the pipeline to its territory, while Kuwait and Bahrain may be interested in connecting to the route to export oil through the Mediterranean.
The project faces serious security threats and financial risks. Damascus has not yet established full control over the country, Islamic State cells operate in the desert, and Iran-backed armed groups are present in western Iraq. Experts warn that protecting the infrastructure will be difficult and costly, while companies’ interest could weaken if the situation around Hormuz stabilizes. Syrian authorities are considering using drones and surveillance systems, potentially with U.S. support.
Damascus’s ambitions extend beyond oil. Syria has signed agreements with Turkey and Saudi Arabia to restore a railway that could link Europe with the Red Sea, creating an alternative to routes through Bab el-Mandeb and the Suez Canal. However, the country’s infrastructure is heavily damaged: oil facilities have been affected by war and poor management, some areas are still being cleared of mines, and the Syrian oil company lacks capital and equipment. Syria’s future as an energy and trade bridge depends on improved security, attracting investment, and the persistence of problems along competing routes.
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Which specific route through the Syrian desert connects the southern Iraqi oil refineries with the port of Baniyas, and which border crossings and cities does it pass through? — Open sources contain no confirmed project with a publicly detailed route. The presumed corridor could begin in the Basra area and at southern Iraqi oil facilities, pass through western Iraq to the Al-Qaim–Abu Kamal border crossing, then continue through the Syrian desert toward Palmyra and Homs, ending at the oil terminal in Baniyas. However, the specific towns, crossings, and technical route require official confirmation.
How could sanctions against Syria and Iraq affect the participation of Chevron, TotalEnergies, Qatar, and other investors in building the pipeline? — Sanctions could restrict financing, insurance, equipment supplies, banking transactions, and companies’ access to U.S. and European markets. For Western corporations, including Chevron and TotalEnergies, participation would create the risk of secondary sanctions and legal claims. Qatar and other investors would also face political and financial risks; the project would likely require sanctions waivers, international guarantees, and a transparent ownership structure.
What role do the Syrian authorities, local armed groups, and foreign military forces play in securing oil and railway infrastructure? — The Syrian authorities are responsible for formal regulation, facility security, and control of the territories under their authority, but their capabilities are limited by the war and the fragmentation of power. Local armed groups control sections of roads, fields, and communications infrastructure and may provide security for a fee, but they also create risks of conflict, extortion, and sabotage. Foreign forces—primarily Russian, U.S., and Iran-linked entities—influence security in different areas through military deployments, patrols, and support for allies. The absence of unified control leaves the pipeline and railway vulnerable to attacks, sabotage, and political pressure.
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