Syria Seeks to Become Alternative Energy Route for Persian Gulf Oil

Syria is leveraging its geographic position to become a new energy transit hub, following disruptions to energy routes caused by the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran. According to a Washington Post report, approximately 5,000 oil-laden trucks currently travel daily across the Syrian desert between refineries in southern Iraq and the Mediterranean port of Baniyas. This route, which began in April as a temporary measure to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, has become a model for Syria's economic reconstruction. In July, the US administration announced support for a project led by Chevron to construct a 1,000-mile pipeline capable of transporting two million barrels of oil per day from Basra to Baniyas. The project is estimated to cost $5.7 billion, with a contract expected to be finalized in September involving a consortium of Chevron, TotalEnergies, and Syrian and Qatari investors. However, experts warn of significant security challenges, including sporadic ISIS activity and the presence of militias in western Iraq, as well as the high costs of securing such infrastructure. Syrian officials state they plan to utilize drones and surveillance technology for pipeline security, with US security support.