Iraq, Syria explore rebuilding decades-old oil pipeline
On Tuesday, Syrian and Iraqi Energy Ministers met in Baghdad to discuss ways of strengthening their cooperation, focusing on restoring the Kirkuk–Baniyas oil pipeline connecting the two countries.
A statement from Syria's Energy Ministry confirmed that Syrian Energy Minister Mohammad al-Bashir and his deputy for oil affairs, Ghiyath Diab, met Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani to discuss setting up joint technical committees tasked with coordinating and implementing the planned projects.
The Iraqi Energy Ministry later highlighted the talks as part of broader cooperation in oil, gas, and energy, stressing the need to maintain deep historical ties to serve both nations' interests. It also linked the discussions to Iraq's strategy of diversifying crude export outlets in line with rising production capacity, citing the pipeline as a potentially important route once rehabilitated or rebuilt.
The talks come amid ongoing debate over the feasibility of restoring the Kirkuk–Baniyas oil pipeline, which was built in 1952. The 800-kilometer line was designed to carry 300,000 barrels per day but has been out of service for decades.
Between 2003 and 2010, Iraq regularly supplied crude oil to Syria through this pipeline, with volumes reaching approximately 70,000 barrels per day at peak operation. However, the flow ceased amid escalating regional instability and infrastructure damage.
Speaking to Shafaq News, oil expert Hamza al-Jawahiri noted that the existing pipeline is no longer suitable for crude transport, stressing that full rehabilitation is not practical.
Ruling building a completely new pipeline as the most viable option, he estimated that the cost could exceed $10 billion, fully financed by Baghdad along with operational fees, transport charges, and risk costs. Under this plan, ownership would transfer to Syria after the contract period concludes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rudaw Net
34 minutes ago
- Rudaw Net
Deadly blast in northwestern Syria kills 4, injures 5
Also in Syria Syria Alawite violence 'systematic', may constitute 'war crimes': UN SDF says investigating suspected ISIS attack in Deir ez-Zor Syria denies attacks on Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo US envoy says Syria vowed accountability for Suwayda violence A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - At least four people, including two children, were killed and five others injured in an explosion on the outskirts of Syria's northwestern Idlib city on Thursday, according to state media. While initial reports described the site of the explosion as a 'residential building,' local authorities told Rudaw the explosion occurred at a warehouse storing 'war remnants.' The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) cited the health ministry, reporting that 'four people, including two children, were killed and five others, including one child, were injured in an explosion that occurred this morning in a residential building on the outskirts of Idlib city.' SANA added that 'authorities are still investigating the cause of the blast.' Syrian Civil Defense teams immediately launched rescue operations and extinguished fires sparked by the explosion. 'They are on alert to secure the site and prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring buildings,' the agency noted. Meanwhile, local authorities in Idlib told Rudaw that the explosion occurred in an arms depot. Abed Kontar, director of media relations in Idlib province, affiliated with the Syrian information ministry, said the blast took place at an 'ammunition and war remnants warehouse,' adding that 'it was not the result of an aerial attack.' 'There was no aviation in the area and no sound of missiles was heard," Kontar said, suggesting that "the explosion was likely caused by high temperatures and poor storage conditions.' He also stated that 'the identities of the deceased had not yet been confirmed,' and it remains unclear 'whether they were civilians or military personnel.' For its part, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), which relies on a network of sources inside Syria, reported on Thursday that 'several violent explosions' rocked a 'warehouse and headquarters for non-Syrian foreign fighters' in the farmlands west of Idlib. According to SOHR, the incident 'resulted in four deaths and five injuries among those fighters.' The monitor added that the explosions 'coincided with drone activity in the area' but did not specify who the drone belonged to. This latest incident follows a similar explosion in late July, when 'a series of blasts inside a warehouse belonging to the 'Turkistan Islamic Party'' in northern Idlib 'resulting in 12 deaths' and '107 civilian injuries, with unconfirmed reports of casualties among Turkistan nationals whose fate was being kept quiet.' Following a swift offensive in early December, a coalition of opposition groups, led by the now-dissolved Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham - then-headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa - toppled the regime of longtime Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. In late January, Sharaa was appointed Syria's interim president. Since then, explosions at 'war remnants depots' and incidents involving unexploded ordnance have emerged as a major cause of casualties, particularly in Idlib province.
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Iraqi airstrike hits ISIS hideouts in southern Kirkuk
Shafaq News – Kirkuk On Tuesday, Iraq's Air Force targeted ISIS positions in the Wadi al-Shay area, south of Kirkuk province, a security source told Shafaq News. Wadi al-Shay in southern Kirkuk is one of Iraq's most challenging terrains, characterized by dense vegetation, rugged hills, and interlinked valleys that provide natural concealment. Its location forms a vital corridor connecting Kirkuk to the Hamrin Mountains and extending toward Diyala and Saladin provinces, making it a key route for the movement of fighters, weapons, and supplies. The source revealed that the operation destroyed key targets and reduced the group's capabilities in the area. The strike was based on precise intelligence indicating movements of terrorist elements in the valley, the source stated, pointing out that security forces continue field operations to track remnants of armed groups and secure surrounding areas, with the situation under control and no immediate threats to civilians. Since early 2025, Iraqi security forces have stepped up operations against ISIS remnants, eliminating senior leaders and dismantling active cells. Supported by the US-led Global Coalition, authorities are using advanced intelligence and forensic tools, including DNA analysis, to identify militants and stabilize volatile areas.
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq's al-Sadr rejects missile displays during Arbaeen
Shafaq News – Baghdad Iraqi Patriotic Shiite Movement (Sadrist) Leader Muqtada al-Sadr condemned, on Thursday, the display of missile replicas in religious shrines during the Arbaeen pilgrimage, one of the world's largest annual Shiite gatherings commemorating the martyrdom of the third Shia Imam Hussein bin Ali. 'Militarizing shrines is forbidden,' Al-Sadr said in a brief handwritten note circulated by media outlets linked to his movement. His remarks came after videos surfaced showing pilgrims making missile-launch gestures—apparently referencing recent Iranian strikes on Israel—and exhibits inside the Imam Hussein shrine in Karbala featuring missile models widely interpreted as symbols of Iranian military power. The controversy coincided with an unannounced visit by Iranian officials to Iraq. Earlier this week, Israeli Army Spokesperson Avichay Adraee denounced the displays, alleging they glorify attacks by Iran's regional proxies 'who have suffered repeated defeats over the past two years.' Al-Sadr has long opposed pulling Iraq into regional conflicts, frequently clashing with Iran-backed factions. In June, he called for keeping Iraq out of the Iran–Israel confrontation, but accused Israel of crossing red lines with US support, warning that Iran might not be the last target if tensions continue to escalate.
