Saudi Arabia, Türkiye move to revive historic Hejaz railway link
Countries sign agreements to restore Ottoman-era rail corridor connecting Turkey to the Gulf via Syria and Jordan
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (MNTV) — Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have taken new steps toward reviving the historic Hejaz Railway, signing agreements aimed at improving rail connectivity and logistics cooperation between the two countries as part of a wider regional transport initiative.
Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu held talks in Riyadh with Saudi officials, where both sides signed memorandums of understanding covering railway development and transport services.
According to Al-Monitor, the planned project seeks to restore and modernize sections of the century-old railway network that once linked Damascus to Medina via Syria and Jordan, extending Turkey’s historical connection into the Arabian Peninsula.
Officials said ongoing studies are expected to determine technical requirements for rebuilding the corridor, which is intended to strengthen trade links and improve overland transport across the region.
As part of broader coordination efforts, Türkiye, Syria and Jordan have already signed a trilateral transport agreement aimed at reconnecting rail lines and integrating regional infrastructure networks.
The revival plan envisions restoring the Turkish–Syrian rail connection through Aleppo, then linking it to existing routes through Damascus and onward to Jordan, forming the backbone of the proposed corridor.
Originally built in the early 20th century under the Ottoman Empire, the Hejaz Railway once served as a key transport link before being heavily damaged during World War I.
The renewed project is being positioned as a strategic overland alternative to disrupted maritime trade routes, with regional states seeking more stable transport corridors for goods and energy flows.
Officials say the long-term vision could eventually extend the railway toward the Gulf and potentially further to the Arabian Sea, enhancing regional trade integration.
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