Turkey and Saudi Arabia Advance New Trade Route Bypassing Israel

Turkey has signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia to rebuild the historic Hejaz Railway, originally launched in 1908 to connect Damascus with Medina in the Hijaz region of the Arabian Peninsula. Ankara aims to establish this railway as an alternative trade corridor to the Strait of Hormuz, circumventing the IMEC corridor plan that involves Israel. The IMEC initiative, unveiled by then-US President Joe Biden in September 2023, seeks to create a trade route from India to Europe through the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel. However, ongoing conflict in the Middle East since October 7, 2023, has stalled progress on IMEC.

Turkey, feeling sidelined from IMEC, has developed two parallel projects: the "Development Road" with Iraq and now the Hejaz Railway restoration. The new railway route will diverge from the original path, running from Saudi Arabia to the port of Aqaba in Jordan, then continuing to Amman, Damascus, Aleppo, and finally Turkey, which is well connected to European rail networks. This route is expected to bypass Israel and reduce Saudi Arabia's incentive to participate in IMEC, especially given the political fallout from Israel's recent military operations that have damaged Gulf states' regional standing.

Experts note that Turkey's strategy is to highlight supply chain vulnerabilities exposed by recent conflicts and position itself as a key bridge between the eastern and western Middle East. The railway projects could economically benefit Syria and weaken Israeli interests in the region. Funding for the Hejaz Railway restoration may come from Qatar. This development marks a significant shift in regional trade dynamics and alliances, with Turkey and Saudi Arabia seeking to reshape economic corridors independent of Israeli involvement.