Hejaz Railway Revitalisation: Türkiye's Integration into IMEC

Türkiye and Jordan help lay the groundwork for Syrian integration into an Abraham Accords-aligned corridor.

Image: Live The Life Expectations

On 11 September, Türkiye, Syria, and Jordan signed a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) to revive the historic Hejaz Railway. The agreement focuses on Türkiye assisting with the Syrian leg, specifically completing a missing 30-kilometre section, and Jordan assessing its own portion. This initiative aims to enhance regional logistics, foster economic integration, and integrate Türkiye into the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). By creating a parallel pathway alongside the Iraq Development Road (IDR), Ankara strengthens its role as a regional trade hub. Restoring connectivity to Saudi Arabia’s holy cities of Mecca and Medina could also reduce arms and drug smuggling through Syria, while allowing Jordan to intensify efforts against domestic resistance movements.

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