Iraq reroutes fuel oil via trucks through Syria, making Damascus the region’s top export hub

Iraq has deployed a massive fleet of trucks to transport fuel oil through Syria to Mediterranean ports, a move designed to bypass the Strait of Hormuz amid heightened regional tensions. In just a few months, Syria has gone from exporting no fuel oil to handling more than a quarter of Middle Eastern fuel‑oil shipments, accounting for about 28% of the region’s volume.

The truck convoys take roughly four days to reach Syrian ports, helping Iraq avoid export bottlenecks that could force refineries to curtail output. The shift is part of a broader effort by Gulf states to reduce reliance on the Hormuz corridor, supported by the United States and plans for new pipelines. Iraq also routes some fuel oil trucks through Jordan, underscoring the diversification of export pathways.

The development signals a rapid restructuring of regional energy flows, bolsters Syria’s reintegration into global markets after years of sanctions, and aims to safeguard Iraq’s oil revenues despite ongoing conflict threats.