- Iran-Iraq-Syria vs. Qatar-Turkey Pipelines
Damascus (Agencies): The ongoing turmoil in Syria has brought the strategic importance of two major energy pipeline projects into sharp focus: the Iran-Iraq-Syria Pipeline (also known as the “Friendship Pipeline”) and the Qatar-Turkey Pipeline. Both projects aim to reshape energy routes to Europe, but they represent starkly opposing geopolitical visions, with Syria caught in the crossfire.
The Iran-Iraq-Syria Pipeline is designed to run from Iran’s vast South Pars/North Dome gas field through Iraq and Syria, eventually reaching the Mediterranean Sea to supply European markets. This route would allow Iran to bypass Gulf states and Turkey, providing a direct and independent energy corridor to Europe. The project, which has the backing of Iran, Iraq, and Syria — and potential Russian support — is seen as a way to bolster the “Axis of Resistance” against U.S. and Gulf influence in the region. However, since the escalation of Syria’s civil war, the project has remained in limbo. U.S. sanctions on Iran and Syria, combined with ongoing instability in Syria, have stalled its development.
In contrast, the Qatar-Turkey Pipeline proposes an alternative route, tapping into Qatar’s share of the same South Pars/North Dome gas field. The pipeline would pass through Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Syria (or Iraq) before reaching Turkey, from where it would supply Europe. Unlike the Iran-backed pipeline, this project seeks to give Europe an energy source free from Iranian and Russian influence. Supported by Qatar, Turkey, and Western-aligned interests, including the U.S. and EU, the Qatar-Turkey Pipeline would enhance Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) dominance in global energy markets and elevate Turkey’s role as a key energy transit hub.
However, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s 2009 decision to reject the Qatar-Turkey pipeline in favor of the Iran-backed Friendship Pipeline is seen as a pivotal moment that altered the course of the Syrian conflict. This move was perceived as a direct challenge to Qatar, Turkey, and their Western allies, triggering support from Gulf states and Turkey for Syrian rebel factions opposed to Assad’s rule. The conflict soon escalated, turning Syria into a proxy battleground for competing regional and global powers.
The clash of these two pipeline visions reflects broader regional power struggles. Iran seeks to strengthen its self-sufficiency and fortify its “Axis of Resistance” with Iraq, Syria, and Hezbollah, pushing back against U.S. and Gulf state dominance. On the other hand, Qatar, Turkey, and their Western allies aim to create a new energy corridor that reduces Europe’s dependence on Russian and Iranian gas.
The fate of these pipelines remains uncertain as Syria’s war grinds on, with no clear resolution in sight. The pipelines symbolize the geopolitical tug-of-war playing out in the Middle East, underscoring Syria’s pivotal role in shaping the region’s energy future. As rival powers continue to back opposing factions in Syria, the potential for either pipeline to materialize remains distant, leaving Europe’s search for diversified energy supplies hanging in the balance.