Almost 12 years ago, we discussed how the events that would shape the Middle East and trigger one of the region’s bloodiest conflicts, particularly the ongoing proxy war for control over Syria, were driven largely by access to resources—specifically, a Qatari gas pipeline running through Syria to Europe.
Now, as reported by Reuters, the situation has come full circle. Qatar, the country whose vast natural gas reserves played a major role in the conflict, is poised to provide Syria with gas through Jordan. The goal is to help address Syria’s electricity shortage and support Syria’s new rulers, who emerged from the ashes of the war.
The deal is being portrayed as significant support for Syria’s new administration, which replaced the Assad regime that Qatar opposed. However, it is primarily seen as the first step toward Qatar gaining pipeline access from Syria to Europe. According to reports, U.S. officials have indicated that the Trump administration gave a nod of approval to the gas deal, though the details of how this was communicated remain unclear. This is notable because Trump has been pushing for U.S. LNG exports to Europe to help balance the U.S. trade deficit.
Qatar’s state news agency confirmed that an agreement was signed between Qatar’s development fund and Jordan’s energy ministry to provide Syria with natural gas to ease the electricity shortage. Jordan will transport the gas via the Arab Gas Pipeline, which runs through Jordan to Syria. This deal will initially supply the Deir Ali power plant in southern Syria with 400 megawatts per day, with plans to increase output gradually.
The U.S. has also shown interest in a separate deal between Kurdish forces in Syria and the new government in Damascus, indicating that Washington remains actively involved in the region, even as it moves more cautiously than Europe in easing sanctions.
Syria has been experiencing severe power shortages since late last year, with state electricity available only a few hours each day. The country relied heavily on oil from Iran for power generation, but those supplies were cut off after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an Islamist group, which now leads Syria with Western support.
Jordan has received U.S. approval to provide up to 250 MW of electricity to Syria, but Syria’s power grid needs significant repairs before the supply can begin. Further technical and financial issues still need to be addressed.
A Western diplomat noted that while Gulf states like Qatar are eager to provide tangible help to Syria’s new rulers, the primary aim is to lay the groundwork for Qatar to eventually transport gas directly from its North Field—the largest natural gas field in the world—through Syria, Turkey, and on to Europe.
Despite Gulf backing, tangible support has been limited due to U.S. sanctions, although a waiver issued in January allowed some energy transactions. However, the waiver has not removed the sanctions, and countries looking to engage with Syria must seek additional guarantees.
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