Syria and Turkey Push to Join or Replace Israel in Alternative Hormuz Trade Corridor Project

Syria and Turkey are intensifying efforts to integrate into the IMEC project, a land trade corridor connecting India to Europe, either alongside Israel or as a replacement. These developments were highlighted during the recent G7 summit, where Syrian Finance Minister Yasser Bernia advocated for Syria and Turkey's inclusion in the trade route. The IMEC corridor has gained traction amid the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, seen as a strategic alternative for global trade.

Despite Bernia's push, European countries remain hesitant to allow Turkey's entry into the project due to concerns over increasing economic dependence on President Erdogan's government. Consequently, the major European nations favor the original Israeli-led route and view it as an opportunity to incorporate Palestinians into future economic rehabilitation efforts. This vision is supported by the regional organization ACOPIS through its "Peace Triangle" initiative, which promotes infrastructure projects involving Israel, Palestinians, and Jordanians within the corridor framework.

The IMEC project was initially proposed during the Biden administration as a key element in normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, with the corridor planned to pass through both countries. Should Turkey and Syria succeed in supplanting Israel in the trade route, it could result in billions of dollars in lost economic benefits for Israel. Israeli officials only recently became aware of the Turkish-Syrian maneuver and have begun efforts to mitigate potential damage.

The broader context includes heightened regional tensions, with Turkish President Erdogan labeling Israel a threat to Turkey, while Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has accused Erdogan of antisemitic authoritarianism. The IMEC corridor remains a significant geopolitical and economic project amid shifting alliances and regional rivalries.