The historic Ottoman railway will be revived.

The Hejaz Railway, constructed between 1900 and 1908 by Sultan Abdulhamid II, was the most important railway in the Ottoman geography, connecting Damascus and Medina. After the fall of the Assad regime, Syria entered a new era and is seeking Turkey's support in its reconstruction and revitalization process. It is particularly aimed to benefit from Turkey's experience in transportation and infrastructure projects.

OTTOMAN RAILWAYS ARE REVIVING

The Syrian government has taken action to rehabilitate the railways from the Ottoman period. In this context, high-speed train projects and the construction of metro lines in Damascus and Aleppo are on the agenda. Turkey will share its experiences in railway projects.

NEW PROJECTS FOR MARITIME TRANSPORTATION

Syria plans to develop projects for maritime transportation from Antakya and Mersin to Latakia. These projects aim to revitalize commercial life and further strengthen trade relations between the two countries.

TURKEY'S SUPPORT FOR AIRPORTS

Turkey is stepping in to address the infrastructure deficiencies at Syria's airports in Damascus and Aleppo. Support will be provided for the installation of X-ray machines and detectors, runway repairs, and improvements to air radar systems.

TURKISH COMPANIES IN ACTION FOR NORMALIZATION OF COMMERCIAL LIFE

Significant infrastructure investments are planned in land, sea, and railways to normalize commercial life in Syria. Turkish companies will play a crucial role in these projects and will establish the necessary infrastructure for Turkey-Syria freight transportation.

PREPARATIONS FOR FUTURE COOPERATION

Turkish teams going to Syria have reported deficiencies in critical areas such as airports and transportation infrastructure. Projects to be implemented based on these reports aim to deepen Turkey-Syria relations.

HEJAZ RAILWAY IS IMPORTANT BOTH SYMBOLICALLY AND STRATEGICALLY

The Hejaz Railway was proposed to the Ottoman Empire by German-American engineer Zimpel in 1864, to construct a railway line connecting the Red Sea and Damascus. However, this proposal was initially rejected by the Ottomans on the grounds that maritime transportation was cheaper than railway construction.

HEJAZ RAILWAY BECAME A GOLDEN PROJECT

In a report sent to Istanbul in 1891 by Osman Nuri Pasha, the commander responsible for the Hejaz, he emphasized the necessity and importance of a railway line to be laid between Jeddah and Mecca. This report was later discussed in a three-person commission and deemed reasonable, informing that a railway between Jeddah and Mecca would eliminate the difficulties faced by pilgrims along the way.

The most comprehensive proposal for the construction of a railway in the Hejaz region came from Ahmed Izzet Efendi in 1891. At that time, Izzet Efendi, who was the director of the Jeddah endowments, stated in his report that a railway starting from Damascus and extending to Medina would serve as an important defense against external attacks directed at the Hejaz and potential uprisings in the region, while also greatly facilitating pilgrimage journeys.

SULTAN ABDULHAMID II DONATED MONEY

Sultan Abdulhamid II referred this proposal, which piqued his interest, to Mehmed Şakir Pasha from the Military Council to examine and provide his opinion. Mehmed Şakir Pasha presented a map showing the estimated cost of the railway line along with the route it would take to the Sultan.

On May 2, 1900, Abdulhamid II ordered the construction to begin with a decree published, and construction started after an official ceremony on September 1, 1900. Initially, the railway line was planned to reach from Damascus to Mecca, with future connections to Aqaba and Jeddah, and even extending to Yemen.

Many fundraising campaigns were launched for the construction of the railway, and Sultan Abdulhamid II personally made the first donation of 50,000 Lira. Individuals who made a certain amount of monetary donations or contributions were awarded the Hejaz Railway Medal and a certificate indicating the amount of their donation as a memento.

ENGLAND HAS ALWAYS OPPOSED

Many states opposed the Ottoman Empire's project. At the forefront was England. The British conducted extensive propaganda against the railway project, claiming that the collected donations did not go to the railway and that the Ottoman Empire transferred this money to the treasury.

THE SEVR TREATY ENDED THE PROJECT

After its construction, it caused problems. Especially, Arab tribes that survived by banditry and plundering pilgrim caravans targeted the railway this time, and the local population attempted to remove many sleepers for their own use.

The railway line suffered severe damage during World War I by Arab insurgents. With the Treaty of Sèvres, the Ottoman Empire was forced to relinquish its rights to the railway.