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Saudi Arabia and Türkiye are moving forward with plans to establish a railway corridor running through Syria and Jordan, with a joint feasibility study set to be completed before the end of the year, Saudi Transport Minister Saleh al-Jasser stated.
Technical work on the proposed rail line is ongoing, with both sides coordinating closely on the project’s framework, Jassersaid on Tuesday.
Türkiye, Syria, and Jordan have already agreed to rebuild and reconnect their railway networks under a trilateral framework designed to restore the Hejaz route and establish a broader transport corridor extending from southern Europe to the Persian Gulf.
Türkiye's Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu described the initiative as a long-term effort to create a continuous north–south trade axis linking Europe with the Gulf region.
The first phase centers on upgrading the Türkiye–Syria–Jordan line as the backbone of the project. From there, the route is expected to extend southward, eventually integrating with Saudi Arabia’s rail network and reaching Riyadh.
Underused rail infrastructure remains a key weakness, with heavy reliance on road transport limiting trade capacity. A modern, uninterrupted rail system is expected to ease that pressure while increasing cargo volumes across multiple markets.
Türkiye is also looking to reinforce its position as a transit hub in global supply chains, with discussions on financing and implementation still underway, Uraloglu said last week.
Originally built during the Ottoman era, the Hejaz Railway connected Damascus to Medina in the early 20th century but was largely destroyed during World War I and was never fully restored.
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