Turkey Revives Ottoman Era Transport Project

During the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan presented a map of key transport and energy projects, which also includes the revitalization of the Hijaz Railroad.

According to information disseminated by Turkish media, the revival of this project from the Ottoman Empire era will enable rail connections between Turkey, Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. In his speech, Hakan Fidan emphasized that the security of routes passing through the Middle East and Anatolia is directly linked to the economic stability of the region.

The minister stated that Turkey operates within the framework of international law but will not allow any infringement on its sovereign rights in areas marked on the map as “red lines.” The Hijaz Railroad was originally constructed during the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid II with the purpose of linking Istanbul to Medina. The new program aims to modernize this historic route, which will enhance strategic and trade cooperation among regional countries.