Saudi Arabia has planned to designate Syria as the primary transit country for the East-to-Mediterranean Data Corridor (EMC), a major fiber-optic cable project linking the Kingdom to Greece and Europe. This marks a significant shift from the original route, which was planned to pass through Israel.
The EMC project was announced in 2022 as a partnership involving Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Greece's Public Power Corporation (PPC), Greek telecommunications firms, and satellite applications companies.
Originally, the cable route was designed to pass through Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel before reaching Greece. However, normalization talks between Saudi Arabia and Israel stalled following the outbreak of the Gaza war on October 7, 2023, prompting Riyadh to reconsider the project's geopolitical alignment.
STC has since announced plans to invest approximately $800 million in Syria's telecommunications infrastructure, including the construction of a fiber-optic network exceeding 4,500 kilometers. Saudi and Greek banks have also signed agreements to finance 60 percent of the overall project.
This shift strengthens Damascus's role in regional energy and data connectivity and could place Greek-Israeli strategic cooperation under new pressure amid changing Eastern Mediterranean alliances.
Saudi Arabia is moving decisively to enter the Syrian market and position itself as a primary partner in rebuilding the country across political, economic, and technological sectors. Riyadh, under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is focused on ensuring that Saudi Arabia becomes Syria's largest supporter, helping the war-torn nation recover after years of devastating conflict that destroyed much of its infrastructure and economy.
Saudi-Syrian relations are not new. Ties between Riyadh and Damascus span decades and, according to regional experts, have demonstrated resilience even during periods of political tension. Today, the Crown Prince is working to ensure Saudi Arabia secures the largest share in Syria's reconstruction while also leveraging Syria's critical geopolitical position as a regional transit hub.
Regional Sources Confirm Strategic Route Change
According to regional sources cited by Middle East Eye, Saudi Arabia is actively seeking to reroute the fiber-optic cable through Syrian territory instead of Israel. Officials stated that Riyadh's insistence on connecting with Athens via Damascus reflects its broader strategy to elevate Syria's regional position and potentially isolate Israel from emerging connectivity networks.
A Western official familiar with Saudi investment strategy stated that "Damascus lies at the heart of Saudi Arabia's regional connectivity vision," adding that Riyadh wants major infrastructure-- including roads, railways, and data cables-- to pass through Syrian territory.
Industry experts note that telecommunications companies worldwide are actively seeking alternative land routes between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean, and Syria could become a viable option if political and regulatory stability improves.
Expanding Beyond Data: Electricity Interconnection Plans
Saudi Arabia is also considering an electricity interconnection project linking the Gulf to Europe through Syria using high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission technology. Such a project would further solidify Syria's role as a strategic energy and data transit hub connecting Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
These initiatives reflect Saudi Arabia's broader effort to use its financial resources to strengthen regional allies and expand its influence amid competition with other regional powers.
Greece's Strategic Role and Eastern Mediterranean Competition
Greece is positioning itself as a major gateway for data flows between Europe and the Middle East, particularly as Gulf countries expand investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure and data centers.
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