Latest news with #AhmedAl-Sharaa
Qatar Tribune
5 hours ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Syria signs $7 billion power deal with Qatar's UCC Holding-led consortium
Damascus Under the patronage of His Excellency Ahmed Al-Sharaa, President of the Syrian Arab Republic, the Syrian government has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with a consortium of international companies led by UCC Holding to develop major power generation projects, with a foreign investment valued at approximately $7 billion. This initiative aligns with the national agenda to rebuild Syria's core infrastructure, enhance energy security, and support economic development. It reflects the President's clear direction toward establishing a development model based on self-reliance, regional cooperation, and long-term sustainability. The signing ceremony took place in Damascus, in the presence of Mr. Tom Barrack, U. S. Special Envoy for Syria; His Excellency Khalifa Abdullah Al Mahmoud Al Sharif, Chargé d'Affaires at the Qatari Embassy in Damascus; and His Excellency Burhan Koroglu, Turkish Ambassador to Syria. The agreement was signed by Mr. Mohamed Moutaz Al-Khyyat, Chairman of UCC Holding; Mr. Mehmet Cengiz, Chairman of Cengiz Energy; Mr. Orhan Cemal Kalyoncu, Chairman of Kalyon Energy; and Mr. Mazen Al-Sbeti, CEO of Power International USA. The signing was also attended by a number of managers and representatives from the companies, including Mr. Ramez Al-Khyyat, President & CEO of UCC Holding; Mr. Mohamed Al-Khyyat, Board Member of UCC Concessions Investments; Mr. Ahmet Cengiz, Vice Chairman of Cengiz Energy; and Mr. Lutfi Elvan, CEO of Kalyon Energy." The consortium is led by UCC Holding, through its subsidiary UCC Concessions Investment, a Qatari company specializing in energy concessions and Construction. The consortium includes: • Power International USA LLC– American company specializing in strategic energy investments • Kalyon GES Enerji Yatırımları A.Ş. – Turkish renewable energy investor and developer • Cengiz Enerji San. ve Tic. A.Ş. – Turkish energy development and operation company This strategic alliance reflects the vision and leadership of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, in supporting Syria's economic recovery and contributing to the reconstruction of a renewed Syrian state through impactful initiatives aimed at energizing the national economy and advancing the country's path toward power self-sufficiency. The agreement covers the development of four combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants in Traifawi (Homs), Zayzoun (Hama), Deir-Azzour, and Mehardeh (Hama), with an approximate installed generation capacity of 4,000 MW, using American and European technologies, and a 1,000 MW solar power plant in Wedian Alrabee, located in the southern region of Syria. These projects will be implemented under Build-Own-Operate (BOO) and Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) models with the corresponding power purchase agreements. Construction is expected to begin following final agreements and financial close, with completion targeted within 3 years for the gas plants and less than 2 years for the solar plant. Mr. Tom Barrack, USSpecial Envoy for Syria, said: "This agreement represents a landmark step in Syria's path to reconstruction and energy security. As President Trump said, we are working with our partners for a prosperous and stable Syria at peace with itself and its neighbours. This partnership is a key step towards that goal, along with the President's lifting of U.S. sanctions against Syria. This consortium, led by Qatar, will promote stability, infrastructure development, and economic recovery and deliver tangible results for the Syrian people. As President Trump has said, and Secretary Rubio is implementing, our goal is to enable 'commerce, not chaos.' His Excellency Mohammed Al Bashir, Minister of Energy of the Syrian Arab Republic, said: "This agreement marks a crucial step in Syria's infrastructure recovery plan. It will strengthen our national grid, expand access to electricity, and help meet growing demand through partnerships that combine international expertise with local priorities." MrRamez Al Khayyat, President and Group CEO of UCC Holding, said: 'This MoU reflects our vision for sustainable and impactful infrastructure development in the region. We are proud to lead this initiative through our concession arm, in collaboration with our consortium partners. These projects represent a model of effective public-private partnership, integrating both conventional and renewable power solutions to support Syria's energy transition and long-term economic resilience. Cemal Kalyoncu, the Chairman of Kalyon Holding, stated: "As Türkiye's largest investor in renewable energy, we are proud to contribute to the development and improvement of the infrastructure of our neighboring country, Syria, through this project." MrMehmet Cengiz, Chairman of Cengiz Holding, said: "As leading private energy companies in Türkiye, we bring a quarter-century of experience in building and operating power facilities across multiple regions. We are confident this partnership will deliver reliable and efficient power solutions for Syria." Upon completion, the projects are expected to supply over 50% of Syria's national electricity needs, representing a transformative leap toward energy security, economic revival, and infrastructure resilience. This initiative goes beyond grid stability, aiming to deliver widespread social and economic impact through: • End power shortages by increasing generation capacity to meet the growing demand of households, industries, and businesses. • Drive economic growth by providing reliable energy to critical sectors such as industry, agriculture, healthcare, and education. • Create thousands of jobs in construction, engineering, and long-term operations, contributing to workforce development. • Improve daily life through enhanced public services, education systems, and overall quality of life. • Enable regional integration by opening channels for future cross-border energy trade. • Support the transition to renewables by laying the foundation for large-scale solar and clean energy projects. Together, these developments mark a pivotal contribution to Syria's rebuilding journey and long-term prosperity.
Memri
2 days ago
- Politics
- Memri
Pro-Hizbullah Daily: Southern Syrian Tribes Seeking Weapons, Training From Parties In Turkey To Confront Israel, Syrian Government
On May 24, 2025, the pro-Hizbullah Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar published an article which quoted "field sources" in southern Syria's Daraa governorate, who claimed that "security tensions" have increased in the area due to the incursions of Israeli forces and fears of a resurgence of Islamic State (ISIS) cells, which were previously active in the area under the name Jaysh Khalid bin Al-Walid (JKBW).[1] Daraa's "complicated tribal nature," according to Al-Akhbar, had enabled ISIS to establish a presence among some tribes, who often possess personal weapons.[2] In addition, Al-Akhbar noted growing discontent with interim Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa in Daraa due to his April dissolution of the Eighth Brigade headed by Ahmad Al-Awda, who still enjoys "popularity" in southern Syria, as well as the government's lack of a "firm stance" regarding "repeated Israeli incursions." Al-Sharaa's recent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Riyadh, which raised speculations that Syria may join the Abraham Accords, and the Syrian leader's remarks about "peace," were met with "widespread rejection" in southern Syria, according to the pro-Hizbullah daily. Al-Akhbar claimed that many locals feel that Al-Sharaa has "abandoned them religiously and ideologically" by adopting "pragmatic" rhetoric that distances Syria from the "principles of the Arab-Israeli conflict." Al-Akhbar's sources reported that some "opposition factions" are acting to hold secret meetings in Turkey, seeking to obtain weapons and training from "stakeholders in the Syrian issue," in preparation for future confrontation with the Syrian government if it "continues its steps toward normalization" with Israel, or to take independent action against Israeli forces if government inaction persists. While locals appreciate Al-Sharaa's efforts to preserve Syria's unity and pursue "security cells," they reject any ties to Israel, and "tribal voices" have compared Al-Sharaa negatively with Assad, insisting that "the former regime, despite its drawbacks, would never remain silent to the Israeli incursions." The Lebanese daily warned that "various approaches" are needed to guarantee southern Syria's stability, so that the area does not "slide … into chaos" again. The Iran-backed Islamic Resistance Front in Syria – Formidable in Might militia is active in southern Syria and has claimed small-scale operations against Israeli forces in the area.[3] Israeli actions in Syria have been met with anger among Syrian jihadis, who have called for armed jihad against Israel.[4]
Roya News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Roya News
US envoy meets with Syrian president after sanctions lifted
The US ambassador to Turkey, who also serves as the envoy to Syria, announced on Saturday that he had met with Syria's leader following the recent easing of US sanctions on the country. Tom Barrack met with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa in Istanbul and emphasized America's continued support for the Syrian people after years of conflict and hardship. In a statement, Barrack said, 'I reiterated the US support for the Syrian people after so many years of conflict and violence... President Trump's goal is to enable the new government to create the conditions for the Syrian people to not only survive but thrive.' He further highlighted that the lifting of sanctions aims to maintain the primary US objective—the lasting defeat of Daesh—while providing Syrians with hope for a better future. The meeting included Syria's foreign minister, Assaad Al-Shaibani, and was confirmed by the Syrian president's office. Earlier on the same day, Sharaa also met with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul. Both leaders expressed their commitment to cooperate in addressing terrorism threats in Syria. Since the ousting of Bashar Al-Assad, Syria's new administration has sought to improve relations with Western countries and ease economic sanctions. However, some governments have hesitated due to concerns over the extremist backgrounds of some key figures in the new leadership. The European Union announced the removal of sanctions earlier this month, with the US following suit last Friday.
United News of India
22-05-2025
- Business
- United News of India
Emirati airline Flydubai to resume flights to Damascus from June 1 - Dubai Gov't
Damascus, May 22 (UNI) Emirati airline Flydubai will begin flights to Damascus from June 1, the Government of Dubai Media Office said. "Flydubai, the Dubai-based carrier, has announced today the start of direct flights to Damascus from 01 June 2025. Flights to Damascus International Airport (DAM) will operate daily from Terminal 2, Dubai International (DXB)," the office said in a statement on Wednesday. In mid-April, the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority announced its decision to resume air traffic with Syria shortly after the visit to Abu Dhabi of Syria's interim president, Ahmed Al-Sharaa. Flights of all Emirati airlines to Syria were suspended more than a decade ago amid instability in the country. Syria's armed opposition captured Damascus on December 8, 2024. Bashar Assad stepped down as Syrian president and left the country. Armed opposition leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa was declared transitional president in January and the new cabinet was formed in March. UNI SPUTNIK GNK
Business Mayor
18-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
From caliphate to corridor: How Trump made the Gulf states great (again)
The Gulf states—long seen as energy giants and financial partners—were recast in Trump's vision as ideological and geopolitical anchors. Their influence extends beyond oil: through media, religion, investment, and regional diplomacy, they shape narratives across the Muslim world. Trump's outreach reframed them not as clients of U.S. power but as co-architects of regional stability. By getting them to become stakeholders in U.S. prosperity by investment, renewed clients of U.S.'s military complex by purchase, and important stakeholders of U.S.'s flagship projects that connect the Atlantic to the Pacific—like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)—the Trump administration aimed to pull them away from Iran, China, and Russia. This wasn't just about containment—it was about co-opting ideological leadership within Sunni Islam by his visit, friendship, and agreements. This shift became more urgent as state-backed Islamist extremism continued to evolve. The October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and the April 22 murder of Hindu tourists in India exposed a wide spectrum of threats. Iran backs proxies like Hezbollah, Hamas, and Houthis. Pakistan, with tacit support from Turkey and China, leverages Sunni jihadist groups to pressure India. Other conflicts are ongoing and brewing in Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, and Iraq—where the only containment is possible through the consolidation of the three Islamic middle powers. All these conflicts have demonstrated the ability to bring global trade and prosperity to a halt. Read More A liminal space All three have renewed their alliance with the U.S., promised large investments, and with it an implicit commitment to contain their spheres of influence to benefit U.S. foreign policy, including a guarantee to Israel's security. An important example of this was the informal meeting in Riyadh of Ahmed Al-Sharaa with the U.S. President on the intervention of Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman. Al-Sharaa, a former ISIS terrorist turned statesman, has now evolved from a radical Islamic terrorist to the poster boy of Islamic moderation. The meeting opens the possibility of bringing Syria into the Abraham Accords (possibly IMEC), recognizing Israel, and a return to Syria's centrality and leadership in Middle East politics. Meanwhile, the UAE's acquisition of port rights in Tartus—Russia's only naval outpost in the Mediterranean—suggests a recalibration of Levantine geopolitics, subtly shifting the region's center of gravity away from Moscow and toward Gulf-backed development. As China facilitated Syria's return to the Arab League, the U.S. quietly moved to reassert its influence. Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman began shaping Syria's reintegration—economically and diplomatically—through backchannel efforts. While seeking peace with Russia in an attempt to de-couple Russia and China, Trump has also cornered the Islamic Republic. Already weakened by Israeli strikes, Iran finds itself in a dire economic, political, and social situation. If the regime does not negotiate an agreement with Trump, it empowers its opposition at home; a successful agreement with the U.S. weakens it with its proxies. An effective zugzwang. Turkey is a NATO ally which draws legitimacy from the Muslim Brotherhood and is desperately trying to be a middle power while challenging all definitions of democracy. Erdoğan has long challenged the Saudi and Emirati vision of a post-extremist Sunni world. Qatar, his closest ally, continues to act as financier and safe haven for Brotherhood-linked networks. Yet even as Erdoğan projects ambition, the broader trend is clear: the Gulf states have turned decisively toward technocratic governance, religious moderation, and global integration. Erdoğan's neo-Ottoman aspirations increasingly look constrained—more reactive than strategic. Trump's GCC visit may isolate Erdoğan further, making him more appreciative of U.S. support. As we have crossed the centenary of the abolishment of the Caliphate in 1924 and we approach the centenary of the foundation of the Muslim Brotherhood in 1928, the Ikhwan al Muslimeen, the battle now is to counter the Ikhwan narrative, which spreads poison and destruction from Palestine to Kashmir and which has de-facto replaced the Ottoman Caliphate as the governing body of radicalized components of Sunni Islam. Only the three Gulf middle powers have the resources and legitimacy to do so. Trump understands this. Amid the great-power chessboard of the U.S., China, and Russia, the role of Islamic middle powers has become central from Asia to Africa. Despite nearly 650 million Muslims—one third of the ummah—concentrated in South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Xinjiang), the influence of the Gulf middle powers over Islamic identity, discourse, and funding carries weight and global significance, which is key to the security of the Middle East and Asia. Trump's diplomacy recognized this leverage. By strengthening ties with the GCC and isolating Iran and Pakistan, the U.S. curbed China's economic and ideological reach in the region. India must consider the longer-term ramifications of Trump's actions. While in the short term it may seem his actions support Pakistan or hyphenate it with India, in the longer term his actions have further isolated Pakistan from the Islamic middle powers, bringing it to an existentialist question of pivot or balkanize. Despite the bravado of the Generals in Rawalpindi, the biggest sign of insecurity after the ceasefire was China's provocation on the naming of Arunachal Pradesh. If the Sino-Pakistan alliance had won the round, China would not have so quickly demonstrated a sign of weakness. As a result of Trump's diplomacy, India and Israel emerged as equal U.S. partners in a new strategic geometry—India anchoring the Indo-Pacific, Israel securing the Middle East, and the Gulf powers binding the architecture through ideological and financial capital. This is a trilateral partnership where Israel safeguards the region's western flank, India secures the east, and the Gulf states enable a shared prosperity model that undermines extremism while expanding influence—a true Indo-Mediterranean partnership. Read More The Cult of Devotion By placing Islamic middle powers at the heart of his foreign policy, Trump did more than upend the old order—he began constructing a new one. One where ideology, energy, security, and diplomacy converge through partnerships rather than patronage. And one where the balance of power is not simply about militaries and markets—but about who gets to define the future of the Islamic world.
