Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouli: Egypt is targeted in plans to redraw regional map
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: Our presence in IAEA General Council and fact-checking helped in preventing unilateral rhetoric that aims to portray Iran as an unregulated country
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: We witnessed new, stricter stances from European countries since signing new agreement with IAEA
Saree: Our UAV force targeted the so-called Ramon Airport in the Umm al-Rashrash area in southern occupied Palestine
YAF spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree: Our rocket force carried out an operation with a Palestine 2 hypersonic ballistic missile targeting a sensitive target in the occupied Yafa area
Trump administration clears first Ukraine arms aid package paid for by allies: Reuters, citing sources
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman receives Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani at his office in Al-Yamamah Palace
Wakim: Surrender is not in our dictionary, and it is not true that "Israel" can implement its project in Lebanon and the region
Wakim: The US is preventing the armament of the Lebanese army. The question is, why are the weapons it is handed over by the Resistance being destroyed?
Wakim: The Resistance is required to hand over its weapons to the [current] authority. The question is: Is this authority independent or subservient to America?

Iraq launches $17bn road and rail project

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 27 May 2023 16:51
3 Min Read

The $17 billion project aspires to link Asia and Europe as well as transfer pilgrims to holy sites.

  • x
  • Iraq launches $17bn road and rail project
    Passengers on a platform before boarding a train to Fallujah at a railway station in Baghdad, Iraq November 7, 2018. (Reuters)

A $17 billion project to connect a major export port on Iraq's southern coast by rail and roadways to the Turkish border began on Saturday in an effort to restructure the nation's economy after decades of war.

Read more: Syria railways incurred over $1bn in losses because of war, sanctions

The Development Road, which intends to match the Suez Canal by decreasing travel times between Asia and Europe, connects the Grand Faw Port in the oil-rich southern region of Iraq with Turkey.

The Director General of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, Farhan al-Fartousi told Reuters that the road is not only to move passengers or goods but rather opens the door to allow the "vast areas of Iraq" to develop.

The Iraqi government anticipates linkages to regional industrial centers, high-speed trains capable of carrying people and cargo at speeds of up to 300 km/h (186.41 mph), and an energy component that may include oil and gas pipelines, a major shift from Iraq's dated transport system. 

There are now just a few railway lines in operation in Iraq, including a sluggish oil freight line and a lone overnight passenger train that travels 500 kilometers from Baghdad to Basra in 10 to 12 hours.

According to Fartousi, the Grand Faw Port, which was conceived more than ten years ago, is halfway finished.

Related News

Arab-Islamic summit slams Israeli strike on Qatar, urges unity

CHP rallies tens of thousands in Ankara against 'judicial coup'

The history of passenger travel between Iraq and Europe may be traced back to the Baghdad-Berlin Express at the start of the 20th century.

Fartousi expressed plans to transport tourists and pilgrims visiting holy shrines in Iraq as well as those headed to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage. 

"We will make this line active again and tie it to other countries," he said.

The proposal was unveiled on Saturday during a conference intended to attract interest from Arab nations, particularly those in the Arab Gulf, Syria, and Jordan. Regional investment, according to a senior government adviser, is an option.

Despite long-standing development promises, Iraq's infrastructure is still in disrepair, despite efforts by the administration of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to repair roads and bridges.

The Development Road, according to authorities, is predicated on something novel: A time of rather stable conditions that have existed since late last year and which they believe may continue.

Fartousi noted that the project could be completed as early as 2029.

"Even if Iraq was absent for a year or two or a decade or two, it must return one day or another. Hopefully, these days are the beginning of the return of Iraq," he hoped.

  • Europe
  • Asia
  • Iraq
  • Suez Canal
  • Turkey

Most Read

Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

American far-right activist Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

  • Palestine
  • 14 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
'Israel’s' Qatar strike backfires, fueling diplomatic fallout
Politics

'Israel’s' Qatar strike backfires, fueling diplomatic fallout

'Israel' committing genocide in Gaza, UN Commission declares
Politics

'Israel' committing genocide in Gaza, UN Commission declares

Rubio supports Gaza offensive, warns few days left for diplomacy
Palestine

Rubio supports Gaza occupation, warns of tight window for deal

US adds Colombia to drug list, drawing Petro’s rebuke
Politics

US adds Colombia to drug list, drawing Petro’s rebuke

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS