by Burak Akinci

ANKARA, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye's facilitation of Azerbaijani natural gas exports to Syria marks another key step in its deepening role in the reconstruction and infrastructure revival of its war-torn southern neighbor, analysts said.

While speaking at the inauguration ceremony in the Turkish border province of Kilis on Saturday, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced the formal start of gas deliveries to northern Syria's Aleppo region via a newly restored cross-border pipeline.

The pipeline, connecting Kilis to Aleppo, had been severely damaged during the Syrian conflict and was fully repaired by May 21.

"Natural gas from Azerbaijan will now be delivered to Syria through Kilis," Bayraktar said.

"We can export up to 2 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas per year, which can generate electricity for up to 5 million households," he pointed out.

The pipeline launch follows months of coordination between Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Qatar, the latter providing financial backing for the project, as well as high-level diplomatic engagement between Ankara and Damascus.

It also comes amid increasing signals that Türkiye is positioning itself to lead reconstruction efforts in war-torn Syria, especially in areas near its southern border.

For Turkish analysts, the gas flow represents more than an energy deal. It reflects a deliberate recalibration of Türkiye's Syria policy and a broader effort to stabilize the region through economic integration and infrastructure diplomacy.

According to Oytun Orhan, a regional affairs expert at the Ankara-based Center for Middle Eastern Studies, consistent energy access in urban centers like Aleppo could play a pivotal role in restarting local economies and restoring public services such as schools, hospitals, and municipal utilities.

"Without electricity, recovery is impossible," the expert stressed. "This project lays the groundwork for long-term reconstruction."

Turkish officials believe that improving infrastructure and living conditions inside Syria may encourage the voluntary return of displaced Syrians, a priority issue in domestic political debates. Amid ongoing returns, Türkiye still hosts some 2.6 million registered Syrian refugees, according to official data.

Türkiye's broader energy strategy with Syria also includes plans to boost electricity exports via a dedicated cross-border transmission line capable of carrying up to 500 megawatts.

The line, currently undergoing repairs on the Syrian side with support from the World Bank, is expected to further enhance cross-border electricity flow once operational.

Experts argue that Türkiye's growing involvement in Syria's energy and utility sectors is part of a long-term strategy to build political and economic influence in northern Syria, while contributing to regional stabilization.

"Türkiye is essential to the reconstruction process in Syria and is the country best poised to do so," Batu Coskun, a nonresident fellow at the Abu Dhabi-based Trends Research and Advisory, said to Xinhua.

"The recent gas deal underscores the possibility of extending Turkish infrastructure into Syria. This already includes electricity grid infrastructure as well," he explained.

Coskun said the pipeline was likely to be the first in a series of infrastructure projects driven by Turkish public-private partnerships.

"We will likely see this as a major trend with Türkiye at the heart of Syria's essential services," he said.

The project is seen as a tangible outcome of Türkiye's broader effort to leverage its geographic position and technical expertise into post-war influence across the region.

Bayraktar previously said that in addition to gas and electricity, Türkiye is also exploring opportunities to assist with Syria's water management systems, urban services, and agricultural infrastructure. ■