Cross-Border Transport Talks
Senior transport officials from Syria and Saudi Arabia held video talks on 13 August 2026 to widen cooperation in land and rail transport and to remove obstacles facing trucks and cargo along regional transit corridors. The Syrian side was led by Deputy Transport Minister Muhammad Rahal, alongside the Saudi deputy minister of transport and logistics.
The two delegations set their sights on cutting delays for freight moving between Turkish, Jordanian and Gulf markets, and on preparing the ground for a Saudi ministerial visit to Damascus at the end of August 2026.
Rising Freight Volumes
Officials pointed to climbing truck traffic on the corridor linking Turkey, Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, where daily movements have risen from a low base and are projected to reach roughly 100 trucks a day. Upgrades at the ports of Latakia and Tartus were also raised, with container throughput described as approaching its 2009 levels.
Easing the Nassib Bottleneck
To relieve pressure on the Nassib crossing with Jordan, the talks examined activating the Tanf–Waleed–Arar route through Iraqi territory as a shorter alternative for trucks and tankers. The aim is to spread cargo across more than one corridor and shorten transit times for goods heading south toward the Gulf.
Highways, Ports and Visas
Maintenance of the M45 international highway — about 500 kilometers long, with three lanes in each direction separated by median barriers — is planned for the coming year. The delegations also discussed the 40-to-50-day wait Syrian drivers face for entry visas, with the Saudi side agreeing to coordinate for faster multi-entry permits.
Toward a Rail Link
A joint feasibility study grouping Syria, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Jordan is planned to assess integrated rail connectivity, including completion of the southern line running roughly 100 kilometers from Damascus to the Jordanian border. Technical committees are preparing project documents intended for signing during the ministerial visit, while coordination covered technical standards such as a maximum 22-year operating age for trucks.