On March 13, a Qatari official announced that Qatar would assist Syria in addressing its ongoing energy challenges by providing natural gas. This move is part of an effort to improve Syria’s energy sector, which has been severely impacted by the ongoing conflict and international sanctions.
Khalifa Abdullah al-Mahmoud al-Sharif, Qatar’s Charge d’Affaires in Syria, explained that the Qatar Fund for Development is behind the initiative to deliver natural gas to Syria through Jordanian territory. The plan is expected to span a set period and aims to support the generation of electricity in Syria, starting with 400 megawatts of power, with the goal of gradually increasing this amount over time. This initiative is seen as a crucial step in helping Syria tackle its energy shortages and provide reliable electricity to its citizens.
Reuters reported that sources confirmed Qatar is preparing to send natural gas to Syria to help strengthen its energy supply. This move is supported by the United States, as a U.S. official confirmed that the U.S. government has approved the plan. This decision comes as Syria is facing an ongoing economic crisis due to over a decade of civil war, foreign occupation, and crippling sanctions. The assistance in the form of natural gas is expected to play a key role in addressing the country’s energy needs.
Syria’s energy sector has suffered greatly due to the extended conflict, leading to widespread power outages and severe fuel shortages. The country has been struggling to maintain basic services, and the Syrian government has shown a strong interest in reviving its energy infrastructure. Ahmad Suleiman, the Director of Public Relations at Syria’s Oil Ministry, revealed that the ministry had received multiple bids for its latest crude oil tender. After a careful review of the bids, the ministry selected the companies that met the necessary specifications to supply the country with the needed resources.
In recent weeks, there has been a shift in the international community’s stance on Syria, with some countries easing sanctions. The European Union, for example, announced it would suspend certain sanctions, particularly those related to energy, transport, banking, and reconstruction, which were imposed during the tenure of former president Bashar al-Assad. The United Kingdom also followed suit, lifting sanctions that had targeted Syria’s central bank. These actions reflect an international effort to alleviate some of the economic hardships that Syria is facing, particularly in terms of energy and infrastructure.
Syria still in stalemate!
However, despite the easing of sanctions, Syria continues to face significant challenges, including ongoing violence. Syrian government forces have been accused of committing atrocities, particularly against civilians from the Alawite minority along the coastal regions. Despite these issues, the Syrian government is focused on rebuilding and addressing the future of the country’s energy resources.
In a notable development, Syria has entered into an agreement with the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who help the United States maintain control over Syria’s oilfields. The deal is aimed at integrating the SDF into Syria’s newly formed military, which has increasingly come under the control of extremist factions. However, it remains uncertain how this agreement will affect Syria’s oilfields, as the transfer of control over resources in northeastern Syria, currently held by the SDF, will take time to implement.
Turkey comes to the scene!
Turkey has also shown interest in assisting Syria with its energy needs. Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar expressed Turkey’s desire to provide electricity to Syria and strengthen the country’s energy infrastructure. Turkey is exploring several energy projects in Syria, including the possibility of constructing oil and natural gas pipelines that would connect Syria to Turkey. These projects could be key to ensuring regional energy stability.
The idea of a Turkiye-Qatar natural gas pipeline has been discussed since 2009, with the aim of transporting Qatari gas through Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, and Turkey to Europe. However, the previous Syrian government rejected the proposal, which was put forward before tensions escalated in the region. Two years later, the U.S. and Turkey launched a military intervention in Syria, further complicating the situation.
These developments illustrate the complex and shifting dynamics in the Middle East, where energy resources, geopolitical interests, and international relations continue to shape the future of Syria’s energy sector and its broader economic recovery.
