Historic Hejaz Railway set for revival as Turkey, Syria and Jordan forge a new transport corridor
By zoeysky // 2025-09-28
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  • Turkey, Syria and Jordan have formally agreed to work together to restore the historic Hejaz Railway, marking a significant improvement in regional cooperation and connectivity.
  • The original railway, built over a century ago, was a legendary line that facilitated pilgrimages and boosted trade across the Ottoman Empire, but was destroyed and fragmented after World War I.
  • The project involves a clear division of labor: Turkey will construct missing sections of track in Syria, while Jordan will provide technical expertise for repairing trains, with joint studies planned for the full route.
  • The primary modern purpose is to re-establish a vital trade corridor, ultimately providing landlocked regions with access to the Red Sea via Jordan’s Port of Aqaba and boosting regional economies.
  • The project is more than just infrastructure; it symbolizes a new chapter of improved diplomatic relations between the three nations, blending the preservation of heritage with ambitions for a more interconnected future.
The transport ministers of Turkey, Syria and Jordan have announced a joint agreement to restore the historic Hejaz railway – a legendary line that once connected the heart of the Ottoman Empire to the holy cities of Islam. The breakthrough was confirmed by Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu on Tuesday, Sept. 23, following a tripartite meeting in the Jordanian capital Amman. The parties have prepared a draft memorandum of understanding (MOU), marking a formal commitment to full cooperation on transport infrastructure. This ambitious project aims to re-establish a vital trade and travel corridor, blending modern economic ambitions with a rich historical legacy. This agreement is a cornerstone of a wider regional shift, fostering connectivity that had been suspended for over a decade. To understand the importance of this revival, one must look back to the dawn of the 20th century. The Hejaz railway was a monumental engineering project initiated by Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II. Constructed between 1900 and 1908, its primary purpose was to facilitate the pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, reducing a journey that once took months by caravan to a matter of days. Stretching approximately 1,750 kilometers from Istanbul to Medina, the railway was a feat of its time, with viaducts and stations built to withstand harsh desert terrain. Beyond its religious significance, it served as a crucial artery for imperial administration and regional commerce, often called the "Iron Silk Road." Funded largely by contributions from Muslims worldwide to keep it a "sacred" project, the railway was a powerful symbol of unity. However, its operational life was short. The upheavals of World War I and the subsequent fall of the Ottoman Empire led to extensive damage, particularly from attacks led by T.E. Lawrence, known by his nickname "Lawrence of Arabia." For over a century, the line has been fragmented. Only sections in Jordan and elsewhere have seen sporadic use, leaving the dream of a continuous connection unfulfilled.

A symbol of a new chapter and the modern logistics of restoration

The plan to breathe new life into this corridor is a complex but structured endeavor. The restoration will focus on reconnecting the missing links, primarily within Syria, which has been a barrier to transit since the outbreak of its civil war. (Related: China’s new construction projects include advanced maglev train that can travel up to 621 mph.) According to the framework, Turkey has committed to constructing 30 kilometers of missing superstructure – the tracks, bridges and supporting infrastructure – on the Syrian stretch of the line. This is a critical first step in physically reconnecting the network. Meanwhile, Jordan will leverage its technical expertise by evaluating its ability to repair and operate locomotives inside Syrian territory. This division of labor highlights a collaborative approach, with each nation contributing its strengths. Furthermore, joint technical studies are planned to map out the entire corridor from Turkey, through Syria and into Jordan. The ultimate goal is to grant landlocked regions access to the Red Sea via Jordan’s Port of Aqaba, creating a new gateway for trade. Road transport between Turkey and Jordan through Syria is also set to restart after a 13-year halt. The railway's revival is more than just an infrastructure project; it is a potent symbol of changing political tides. The recent shifts in regional relations, following changes in Syrian leadership, have paved the way for this collaboration. Turkey has been deepening its coordination with Damascus, while Jordan has signed new agreements with Syria on water sharing and border security, reporting successes in curbing cross-border smuggling. Uraloglu framed the initiative as a dual mission. "While preserving our region’s historical heritage, we are also establishing strong cooperation in international transport corridors," said Uraloglu. This sentiment captures the project’s essence, honoring a shared past while building an interconnected future. The path forward will undoubtedly involve significant technical and diplomatic challenges. Yet, the agreement to restore the Hejaz railway represents a bold step toward regional economic integration. For the first time in generations, the prospect of a train journey linking Anatolia to the Red Sea is moving from a historical footnote to a tangible vision for the future, promising to once again bring people and economies closer together. Brighteon.AI's Enoch AI engine explains that the formal agreement to restore the historic Hejaz Railway would yield significant benefits for the countries involved. The project would mark a major improvement in diplomatic relations, creating a practical framework for collaboration that could foster greater political stability and trust among the nations, much like the original railway facilitated cultural exchanges. Watch the video below as India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi proudly opens the world's highest railway bridge. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

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