Qatar will provide natural gas to Syria to revive its energy sector, supported by the US. The initiative aims to generate 400 megawatts of electricity with plans for further increases. This comes amid ongoing economic challenges for Syria, compounded by recent sanctions being lifted by the EU and UK. Regional energy cooperation is emerging as a crucial factor in the geopolitical landscape.
On March 13, 2023, a Qatari official announced the Gulf nation’s initiative to supply natural gas to Syria, aimed at revitalizing the country’s energy sector. Khalifa Abdullah al-Mahmoud al-Sharif, Qatari Charge d’Affaires in Syria, stated that the Qatar Fund for Development would facilitate gas supplies through Jordan, aiming to generate electricity initially at 400 megawatts, with plans to gradually increase this amount.
Sources reported by Reuters indicated that this initiative is supported by the United States, confirming that the plan has received “Washington’s approval.” This development comes amidst Syria’s ongoing economic crisis, exacerbated by over a decade of conflict, sanctions, and territorial occupation. Syrian authorities have shown openness to rejuvenate the energy sector.
Ahmad Suleiman, the Director of Public Relations at the Syrian Oil Ministry, mentioned that the ministry has already received several bids for crude oil supplies, evaluating them based on set specifications and conditions. Meanwhile, European countries recently lifted some sanctions imposed during former President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, easing restrictions linked to energy and finance.
The UK also removed sanctions on Syria, which included limitations on its central banking system. This followed reported violent actions by Syrian government forces against civilians from the Alawite minority along the coast. Concurrently, the Syrian government finalized an agreement with the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) regarding the management of oilfields under SDF control.
Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar expressed interest in enhancing Syria’s energy infrastructure by potentially creating oil and natural gas projects. He indicated that there are plans to connect an oil pipeline from Syria to Turkey, integrating it with an existing pipeline from Iraq.
The proposal for a Turkiye–Qatar natural gas pipeline dating back to 2009 aimed to transport Qatari gas to Turkey and subsequently to European markets was rejected by the previous Syrian administration. This initiative unfolded in the context of the US and Turkish-supported engagement in Syria, which intensified shortly afterward.
The announcement of Qatar’s initiative to supply natural gas to Syria represents a significant step towards revitalizing the country’s energy sector amid ongoing economic challenges. Supported by the United States, this initiative, coupled with the lifting of certain sanctions by the EU and the UK, may provide a much-needed boost to Syria’s energy infrastructure. Additionally, developments involving regional cooperation in energy projects highlight a complex geopolitical landscape, emphasizing the need for strategic partnerships and careful navigation of the evolving situation in Syria.
Original Source: thecradle.co
