Turkey and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday signed a landmark agreement on the revival of the historic Hejaz Railway, aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and improving transport connectivity across the Middle East.
The agreement is being seen as a major step toward rebuilding a strategic rail corridor that could reshape trade and logistics networks across the region. Saudi Arabia has now become the latest country to join efforts to restore the historic railway system.
A strategic push for regional connectivity
The revived railway project is expected to connect Turkey, Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, with long-term plans to extend links toward Oman and the Indian Ocean. The broader vision is to create a land-based trade corridor connecting the Middle East with Europe.
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Officials say the project could reduce dependence on maritime routes such as the Suez Canal and the Strait of Hormuz by offering an alternative overland transport network for goods and energy flows.
Talks held in Riyadh
Turkey’s Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu visited Riyadh for discussions with Saudi counterparts, where the agreement was formally signed.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Uraloğlu said:
‘Our region is going through a sensitive period, and ensuring the uninterrupted flow of trade and logistics chains has become more important than ever. Removing barriers in the transport sector is now a strategic necessity.’
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Planned route and network expansion
The original Hejaz Railway stretches approximately 1322 kilometres, running from Damascus in Syria to the holy city of Medina in Saudi Arabia. Including branch lines and extensions, the historical network covered nearly 1900 kilometres.
Turkey’s broader plan includes activating transport corridors through Iraq, Syria and Jordan, eventually linking the system with Gulf countries and European markets.
Officials also highlighted that trial runs conducted last year between Turkey and Saudi Arabia via Iraq had already demonstrated the feasibility of the route.
Reducing dependence on maritime routes
One of the key objectives of the project is to create an alternative trade corridor that bypasses critical maritime chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz.
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If fully developed, the railway could position Turkey as a major transit hub between the Gulf and Europe, integrating energy and trade corridors into a unified logistics network.
Earlier this year, Turkey, Syria, and Jordan had also signed a trilateral framework agreement to enhance regional transport cooperation and facilitate cross-border connectivity.
Historical background of the Hejaz Railway
The Hejaz Railway was originally an ambitious project launched by Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II in 1900. It aimed to connect Istanbul with the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
The railway became operational in 1908, running between Damascus and Medina. Its primary purpose was to ease the journey of Muslim pilgrims, reducing travel time from nearly 40 days to around five.
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During World War I, large sections of the railway were destroyed, leading to its eventual shutdown.
Built with rapid construction efforts and largely funded through donations from Muslims across the Ottoman Empire, the railway once included connections extending toward Haifa in present-day Israel.
First published on: Jun 10, 2026 12:18 PM IST
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