Qatar plans to supply natural gas to Syria through Jordan to address ongoing electricity shortages. This agreement is framed as support for Syria’s new leadership, following years of conflict driven by access to regional resources. The initiative will initially increase capacities at the Deir Ali power plant, amidst complexities involving U.S. sanctions and geopolitical dynamics.
In a significant development, Qatar has announced plans to supply natural gas to Syria through Jordan via the Arab Gas Pipeline. This decision, stemming from the quest for commodity access that has shaped much of the Middle East’s recent history, signals both a revival of Qatar’s interests post-conflict and support for Syria’s current leadership. The gas provision aims to alleviate Syria’s electricity shortages, although critics argue it is a strategic move towards establishing a gas pipeline route to Europe.
As per reports, Qatar’s agreement with Jordan, facilitated through Qatar’s development fund, designates the supply of natural gas to Syria, ostensibly to improve the electricity supply. The deal has been described by some unnamed U.S. officials as receiving approval from the Trump administration, hinting at a complex geopolitical dimension behind the initiative. The gas will be delivered to Jordan’s Red Sea port of Aqaba before being transported to Syria through the pipeline.
The ambitious plan will initially enhance the capacity of the Deir Ali power plant in Syria by 400 megawatts per day, with potential for future increases, while Syria continues to face substantial challenges due to its damaged electricity infrastructure. Furthermore, the shift in leadership in Syria, now under the control of the Al-Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has curtailed previous support from Iran for oil-based power generation, exacerbating power shortages.
Jordan has reportedly received U.S. consent for supplying up to 250 megawatts of electricity to Syria. However, significant improvements to Syria’s internal electrical network and technical arrangements are prerequisites for the effective implementation of this supply. Meanwhile, logistical aspects such as financing for the agreement remain unclear, amid ongoing sanctions against Syria that complicate international assistance.
Political analysts observe that Qatar’s gas initiative not only represents a gesture of support for Syria’s new rulers but is also part of a larger strategic objective to reinstate Qatar’s influence in European gas markets. This multi-faceted relationship underscores the intricate interplay of regional politics, energy supply chains, and the lasting effects of civil conflict in the Middle East.
Qatar’s initiative to supply natural gas to Syria via Jordan signifies both a response to Syria’s ongoing electricity crisis and Qatar’s broader objectives in the global energy market. The arrangement, while purportedly aimed at aiding a new leadership in Damascus, contains multifaceted geopolitical implications, highlighting the challenges of fostering stability amidst chaotic regional dynamics. As the energy landscape evolves, the international community will be closely watching how these developments unfold and their impacts on diplomacy and energy security in the region.
Original Source: oilprice.com
