Syria's Baniyas Port Emerges as Alternative Oil Corridor as Hormuz Tensions Rise

Syria's Mediterranean port at Baniyas began receiving hundreds of Iraqi oil trucks as an alternative energy corridor to Europe, as tensions in the Strait of Hormuz raised fears of disruption to Gulf oil flows. The development offered Syria an unexpected economic opportunity — transit and processing fees — during its reconstruction period, while benefiting Iraq and European importers seeking supply diversification. The arrangement also highlighted Syria's strategic location as a potential bridge between Gulf energy producers and Mediterranean markets.