“Four Seas” and “Nine Corridors” Initiatives

2026-04-27

The Syrian government, under the leadership of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, is actively working to revive the “Four Seas” strategy. According to the concept, Syria should become a central hub connecting four seas - the Mediterranean, the Caspian, the Black Sea and the Persian Gulf.

In April 2026:

- President al-Sharaa presented the “Four Seas” and “Nine Corridors” initiatives at the Antalya Diplomatic Forum and the Nicosia Summit. The goal is to transform Syria into a secure transit artery connecting Central Asia and the Persian Gulf (via Iraq and Jordan) with Europe (via Turkey and the Mediterranean).

- Syria and Turkey have officially launched a new phase of their strategic partnership, with the Four Seas project at its core. Turkey has already completed the rehabilitation of a 350-kilometer railway line (Kilis-Nusaybin) along the Syrian border, which is one of the main links in this corridor.

- Amid the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, the new Syrian government is offering this project to the world as a safe land alternative for transporting energy resources and cargo.

- Syria has received a $200 million grant from the World Bank to modernize its railway infrastructure. In parallel, it is planned to restore the historic Hejaz Railway, which will connect Saudi Arabia with Turkey and Europe via Syria.

Source:

sana.sy; sfuturem.org;  english.aawsat.com