A Syrian official: Oil cooperation with Iraq alleviates the energy crisis and paves the way for a strategic partnership.
A Syrian official: Oil cooperation with Iraq alleviates the energy crisis and paves the way for a strategic partnership.
2026-08-04
Shafaq News – Damascus
The head of the Gas and Energy Committee at the Damascus Chamber of Industry confirmed on Tuesday that strengthening oil cooperation between Iraq and Syria could help alleviate the energy crisis facing Syria and pave the way for a strategic partnership that would positively impact industry, investment, and economic growth.
Mohammed Marwan Orfali told Shafaq News Agency that Iraq’s geographical proximity makes the cost of transporting oil and gas to Syria low, which allows for the provision of energy supplies at lower prices and reduces the burden on the productive sectors.
He explained that increasing Iraqi oil and gas supplies will have a direct impact on the electricity, transportation and industry sectors, which will contribute to reducing production costs and give the government room to reduce energy costs for industrialists and citizens, which supports economic activity.
He added that high energy prices represent the biggest challenge facing Syrian industry, noting that reducing them would enable factories to expand and increase production, stimulate investment, and provide new job opportunities.
Orfali pointed out that cooperation between Baghdad and Damascus could include the rehabilitation of oil infrastructure, the development of joint projects for transporting oil and gas, as well as electrical interconnection and supplying Syria with its needs of oil, gas and electricity at preferential prices.
He stressed that the geographical location of the two countries provides an important advantage for the development of these projects, as it reduces transportation costs and enhances opportunities for economic cooperation, noting that the historical relations between Iraq and Syria in the energy sector form a suitable basis for expanding this cooperation.
He believed that cooperation in the field of energy should not be limited to meeting immediate needs, but could develop into a long-term partnership that serves the interests of both countries, supports the Syrian economy, and opens new horizons for investment and trade in the oil and gas sector.
On July 17, Iraq and Syria signed, under US auspices, a memorandum of understanding to restart the Kirkuk-Banias pipeline , allowing the resumption of Iraqi oil exports to Mediterranean ports via Syrian territory, in a move aimed at diversifying export outlets and strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries.
shafaq.com
