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Qatar-Turkey Gas Pipeline, 1,500 Kilometers, Resurgence Possible After 2009 Opposition from Bashar al-Assad

Dec 14, 2024, 10:39 AM

The proposed Qatar-Turkey gas pipeline, which was shelved in 2009 due to opposition from Bashar al-Assad's regime, is being reconsidered following his recent ousting. Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar indicated that the project, which would stretch approximately 1,500 kilometers and transport natural gas from Qatar to Europe via Syrian territory, could now move forward. The pipeline's initial proposal faced significant hurdles during the Syrian civil war, which was fueled by various international interests, including those of Qatar and Turkey. With Assad's departure, discussions around the pipeline have resurfaced, highlighting its potential importance in the region's energy dynamics, especially as U.S. LNG exporters also seek to penetrate the European market. However, stability in Syria remains a concern, and the role of neighboring countries, such as Saudi Arabia, in the pipeline's feasibility is yet to be clarified.