Qatar Initiates Plan to Enhance Syria’s Energy Sector Amid U.S. Support
Qatar has announced its intention to supply natural gas to Syria to enhance the energy sector, with U.S. approval backing the initiative. Amid an ongoing economic crisis and recent sanction relaxations from the EU and UK, Syria is poised to take steps towards improving its energy infrastructure, also involving the Syrian Democratic Forces in strategic agreements. Discussions on Turkey’s involvement in the energy sector are ongoing.
On March 13, a Qatari official announced plans for Qatar to supply natural gas to Syria, aiming to enhance the nation’s energy sector. Khalifa Abdullah al-Mahmoud al-Sharif, Qatar’s Charge d’Affaires in Syria, noted that this initiative, supported by the Gulf state’s development fund, intends to produce electricity starting at 400 megawatts, with future increases planned, utilizing Jordanian territory for gas transit.
Recent reports from Reuters indicate that the United States has approved this initiative to bolster Syria’s energy supplies amid an ongoing economic crisis stemming from years of conflict, sanctions, and occupation. A U.S. official confirmed that Washington endorses the proposal, marking a significant move towards international support for Syria.
Syria’s authorities appear receptive to revitalizing the country’s energy sector. Ahmad Suleiman, the Director of Public Relations at the Syrian Oil Ministry, revealed that the ministry has received various bids for a recent crude oil tender, selecting companies based on their compliance with necessary specifications and conditions.
Moreover, the European Union recently suspended some sanctions imposed during Bashar al-Assad’s regime, including those concerning energy, banking, and reconstruction. The UK also lifted sanctions on Syria’s central bank amid ongoing violence perpetrated against civilians by government forces, particularly targeting the Alawite minority.
In a related development, the Syrian government finalized a deal with U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces to integrate them into a new military formation for overseeing oilfields in northeastern Syria. Discussions regarding the implications of this agreement for Syria’s oil and gas resources continue. Ahmad Suleiman noted that preparations for the transfer of control over oil and gas wells may require additional time.
Additionally, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar expressed Turkey’s interest in supplying electricity to Syria, proposing collaborative efforts on energy infrastructure projects, including oil and natural gas ventures. A historical proposal for a Turkiye-Qatar natural gas pipeline was initially rejected by Syria’s former government, coinciding with the onset of conflict in the region two years later.
The Qatari initiative to supply natural gas to Syria represents a crucial effort to revitalize the nation’s energy sector, built upon international support, including from the United States. This development, alongside the easing of sanctions by the EU and UK and the strategic integrations with Syrian Democratic Forces, indicates a shift towards enhancing Syria’s economic infrastructure and energy capabilities. The overall situation remains fluid and complex, necessitating careful scrutiny of the evolving geopolitical landscape.
Original Source: thecradle.co
