Turkiye and Saudi Arabia have announced plans to construct a railway linking the two countries with Jordan and Syria within the next three to four years, according to Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu. The initiative, which will eventually include other Gulf states, aims to establish a continuous rail corridor from the Arabian Peninsula to Europe.

Speaking on June 14, 2026, Uraloglu emphasized that the railway is intended to provide a strategic alternative to transport routes affected by instability in the Strait of Hormuz, whose ongoing disruptions have complicated the movement of goods, oil, and natural gas. The agreement governing the project was formalized last week through a memorandum of understanding on logistics and railway cooperation signed by Ankara and Riyadh.

The initial phase focuses on connecting key regions in Saudi Arabia to the Turkish border via Jordan and Syria. Saudi Arabia’s domestic rail infrastructure, extending from Riyadh to several internal regions, will be linked with existing tracks in Turkiye—specifically from Islahiye to Kilis and Gaziantep in the southeast near Syria’s border. The primary remaining challenge is bridging the approximately 400-kilometer gap between Syria and Jordan.

Beyond the transport of commercial freight—including energy commodities—the railway is expected to facilitate passenger travel as well. Uraloglu highlighted the potential for the route to support the annual Haj pilgrimage, enabling greater mobility for participants across the involved countries.

The project envisions the later inclusion of other Gulf Cooperation Council members such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, and possibly Yemen, broadening the network’s scope and enhancing regional connectivity.

Turkiye’s involvement in Syria has increased following the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime at the end of 2024. Ankara has since developed closer ties with Damascus and pledged assistance for Syria’s reconstruction efforts. As part of this cooperation, Turkiye plans to invest around $100 million to rehabilitate the rail connection between its territory and Syria’s Aleppo, which will establish a direct link to Damascus.

A comprehensive financial plan for the railway project is currently being developed, with officials continuing to coordinate the technical and diplomatic aspects needed to realize the trans-Gulf-to-Europe rail corridor.