Syria and Turkey Move Towards Landmark Energy Cooperation
Mohammad Bashir confirmed that, in addition to the electricity deal, the two countries are working jointly to construct a strategic natural gas pipeline from Kilis Province on the Turkish side of the border into Syria’s Aleppo Governorate, crossing through the Kurdish Afrin region.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Syria’s Minister of Energy, Mohammad Bashir, announced on Sunday, that Damascus is on the verge of finalizing an agreement with Ankara to import electricity via a 400-kilovolt transmission line, a development seen as a major breakthrough in Syrian-Turkish cooperation following years of strained relations.
Speaking to Syria's official news agency SANA, Bashir confirmed that, in addition to the electricity deal, the two countries are working jointly to construct a strategic natural gas pipeline from Kilis Province on the Turkish side of the border into Syria’s Aleppo Governorate, crossing through the Kurdish Afrin region.
He revealed that the pipeline is expected to deliver six million standard cubic feet of natural gas daily to a power generation plant inside Syria, marking a substantial upgrade in Syria’s domestic energy infrastructure and a signal of deepening bilateral engagement.
New Energy Diplomacy amid Political Transition
The energy initiative comes just two months after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a joint press conference with Ahmad al-Sharaa, head of Syria’s transitional phase, in which he praised the resilience of the Syrian people and affirmed Turkey’s support for a “new chapter” in Syrian-Turkish relations.
During that Feb. 4, 2025, conference, Erdogan described al-Sharaa’s visit to Ankara as “historic,” framing it as the beginning of a new era of coordination and brotherhood between the two neighboring nations.
Erdogan's administration has been increasingly vocal in recent months about backing Syria’s reconstruction efforts following the fall of the previous regime, stressing the importance of regional integration, stability, and long-term development.
Strategic Implications
Observer noted that while the gas pipeline project is expected to enhance Syria’s energy self-sufficiency, it also holds geopolitical significance, as the route passes through areas that were once flashpoints of Turkish-Kurdish tension as the proposed infrastructure traverses the Kurdish Afrin region, currently under Turkish backed forces control.
The agreement could also open the door for broader cooperation in reconstruction, infrastructure, and possibly regional security, as both sides navigate a delicate post-conflict landscape.
If finalized, the deal will mark a turning point in Syrian-Turkish ties and reflect the emerging regional dynamics where energy, diplomacy, and strategic necessity converge
