The General Establishment for Railways announced on Monday, 26 January, the launch of the first grain freight train on the Latakia–Aleppo line, passing through Homs and Hama, after a suspension of nearly 15 years.
Syria’s Ministry of Transport said in a statement on its official accounts that the step is significant for reactivating one of the country’s most important rail corridors.
The first trial run departed from the Port of Latakia carrying about 1,500 tons of grain bound for Aleppo’s mills and silos, according to the ministry. This is part of a plan to support the transport of essential goods and reduce pressure on the road network.
An Enab Baladi correspondent in Latakia said the train is the first to run on the line since 2011, paving the way for regular service at a later stage. The trip followed comprehensive maintenance of the tracks and related infrastructure between Latakia and Aleppo by the General Establishment for Railways.
The maintenance also included rehabilitating the silo spur line, to enable large scale transport of grain and other essential goods at lower cost.
Mohammad al-Hajji, deputy director of the railways branch in Latakia, said the step would ease the burden on road transport, reduce congestion, and limit wear and tear on road infrastructure.
In remarks to the state news agency SANA, al-Hajji added that rail is a safer option and can carry large quantities of goods, which would support food security, lower costs, strengthen the local economy, and contribute to GDP growth.
He stressed the importance of operating the line, describing it as one of Syria’s most vital rail arteries due to its role in linking provinces and moving larger quantities of grain, fuel, and industrial materials.
Al-Hajji said the main challenges facing the railways establishment include deteriorated infrastructure and a severe shortage of locomotives.
The railways authority said restarting the corridor comes within broader efforts to rehabilitate railway infrastructure and enhance rail transport’s role in serving the national economy, given its high efficiency and lower cost for moving strategic goods.
The Latakia–Aleppo line is a key corridor linking Syria’s seaports with industrial and agricultural areas inland.
Restoring the line is considered an essential step to support food security, ease pressure on land transport, reduce shipping costs, and improve connectivity between ports and inland regions, reflecting a partial recovery of Syria’s transport infrastructure.
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