Syria makes progress towards reunification
24 April 2025
Following the ousting of Bashar Al-Assad in late 2024, President Ahmed Al-Sharaa has rapidly consolidated power in Syria. He has transitioned from a militant and political outsider into a credible leader increasingly recognised in the region and on the world stage.
Within Syria, Al-Sharaa faces political, economic, military and civil challenges in pulling the country back together again. In recent weeks, a prominent focus has been the reunification of Syria’s fractured security landscape through the negotiated dissolution and integration of smaller rebel factions into a centralised military structure under the Ministry of Defence.
Rebel disbandment
Most recently, the new government brokered the dissolution of the Eighth Brigade, a 3,000-strong rebel group based in the southern city of Daraa that had waged an insurgency against the government of Bashar Al-Assad since 2018.
That outcome proved a relief to the government after its trustworthiness in talks was thrown into doubt by the chaos that erupted in Syria’s coastal region on 6 March as Islamist groups committed massacres against Alawite civilians in revenge over attacks by Assad loyalists.
On 9 March, Al-Sharaa appointed a committee to report on the violence, determine its perpetrators and theoretically hold them to account. That move caused some murmurings within his own ranks, but externally it showed the president’s commitment, in principle, to justice.
It also appeared to serve the political imperatives of the moment. Just a day later, on 10 March, the reassured Kurdish- led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) – representing tens of thousands of trained soldiers – signed a deal to integrate its forces into the national army.
The deal marked perhaps the most significant step towards national reunification so far, promising to restore to government control a swathe of northeastern Syria and its oil fields that has been largely lost to Damascus since the 2014 invasion by the Islamic State.
The integration of the SDF into the national military also appears to have been accepted by the US, which had been supporting the SDF military as an independent force in the northeast of the country, but has now announced the planned staggered withdrawal of its stationed troops.
Al-Sharaa has been making his rounds of the region in a diplomatic blitz aimed at shoring up regional support for his new government
Broader priorities
Alongside reconsolidating and restructuring the country’s military and security apparatus, Al-Sharaa’s main priorities are foreign affairs and economic policy. These two areas go hand in hand, given that removing international sanctions is key to reviving Syria’s economy.
In late March, Al-Sharaa entrenched his authority by enacting a new constitutional declaration, announcing a new transitional government and granting himself sweeping executive powers, including the right to appoint a third of the legislature and select judges for the constitutional court.
The cabinet was also broadened and reshuffled to address concerns over the lack of representation from minority communities. Individuals from the Alawite, Druze and Christian communities, as well as one woman, were appointed to ministerial positions.
The move further witnessed the replacement of the formerly appointed justice minister Shadi Al-Waisi, whose elevation embarrassed the government after 2015 videos surfaced of him presiding over street executions by morality police as part of the then Nusra Front. His removal was another reassuring step for observers that the government is attuned and reactive to constructive criticism.
With the right signals sent, Al-Sharaa has been making his rounds of the region in a diplomatic blitz aimed at shoring up regional support for his new government. He is likely also aiming to put the right words in the right ears, in the hope that they filter through the Gulf’s power lobbying system to the US.
Already on 30 January, just a day after Al-Sharaa became president, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani flew to greet the man who displaced Al-Assad – a goal also long pursued by Doha. On 2 February, Al-Sharaa then took his first trip abroad to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Some other regional governments have been more reticent to launch into renewed relations, but have increasingly come on board.
This includes Iraq, which, hesitant over Al-Sharaa’s past militant activity against Baghdad, only arranged a meeting between the Syrian president and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on 17 April in Doha – ultimately driven by shared security imperatives. Al-Sudani also invited Al-Sharaa to attend the upcoming Arab summit in Baghdad in May.
On 14 April, the equally green Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also met with Al-Sharaa in Damascus – no doubt keen to address the recent border clashes between the two countries. A day earlier, Al-Sharaa was in Abu Dhabi to meet Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, rounding out his visits to the key power brokers and budget holders in the Gulf.
Between all of these meetings, Al-Sharaa appears to have ingratiated himself with the region’s other leaders with remarkable rapidity and ease. A year after the Arab League reaccepted him in May 2023, Al-Assad had made little comparable progress.
For world leaders weary from years of dithering by Al-Assad’s government, which was unable or unwilling to even acquiesce to the Gulf’s most basic request – to stem the flow of the drug captagon from within Syria’s borders – Al-Sharaa is at least a partner who can do that and achieve far more besides.
For years, it has been the case that a reunified Syria and a rebuilt Syrian economy would lift the entire Levant region and any Gulf investors with it. The appetite in the region to see it succeed has been there. All that has been missing is a suitable partner in Damascus to move forward with.
Exclusive from Meed
-
Chinese firm signs deals for 5GW Saudi projects
13 October 2025
-
Adnoc strives to build long-term upstream potential
13 October 2025
-
Global renewable capacity to double by 2030
13 October 2025
-
Neom to retender Trojena Ski Village
13 October 2025
-
Qatari cabinet approves GCC rail link to Saudi Arabia
13 October 2025
All of this is only 1% of what MEED.com has to offer
Subscribe now and unlock all the 153,671 articles on MEED.com
- All the latest news, data, and market intelligence across MENA at your fingerprints
- First-hand updates and inside information on projects, clients and competitors that matter to you
- 20 years' archive of information, data, and news for you to access at your convenience
- Strategize to succeed and minimise risks with timely analysis of current and future market trends

Related Articles
-
Chinese firm signs deals for 5GW Saudi projects
13 October 2025
China Energy Engineering Corporation has signed engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts for three major renewable energy projects in Saudi Arabia with a total capacity of 5GW.
The agreements cover the 1GW Shaqra wind power project, the 2GW Starah wind power project and the 2GW Khulis solar photovoltaic (PV) project.
A consortium of three China Energy subsidiaries – China Energy International Group, Guangdong Thermal Power and the Northwest Electric Power Design Institute – signed the contracts.
All three projects were allocated directly under Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund's (PIF) 15GW package announced in July, with Acwa Power, Water & Electricity Holding Company (Badeel) and Saudi Aramco Power Company (Sapco).
The package included five large-scale solar PV plants with a total capacity of 12,000MW and two large-scale wind energy plants with a total capacity of 3,000MW.
The total contract value is $2.75bn with a construction period of 26 months for Shaqra and Khulis, and 30 months for Starah.
The Shaqra and Starah wind projects are located northwest and south of Riyadh, while the Khulis solar project is located north of Jeddah in Mecca province.
According to China Energy Engineering, the signing represents a major expansion of its Middle East wind market presence.
The company has been involved in previous Saudi renewable developments, including the 2.6GW Al-Shubakh solar project and 2GW Hadden solar project, both developed under PIF's direct renewable energy programme.
PIF has committed to developing 70% of Saudi Arabia’s renewable energy target capacity by 2030.
The projects under the 15GW package are scheduled to start operating in the second half of 2027 and the first half of 2028.
https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/14856443/main.jpg -
Adnoc strives to build long-term upstream potential
13 October 2025
Between 2023 and 2024, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc Group) spent an estimated $37bn on projects considered vital to achieving its upstream goals: reaching an oil production capacity of 5 million barrels a day (b/d) by 2027 and attaining gas self-sufficiency by the end of the decade.
The state energy enterprise spent more than $22.5bn in 2023 alone, making it the biggest year on record for oil and gas project spending in the UAE. The Hail and Ghasha sour gas development project, which accounted for approximately $17bn, holds the distinction of being the single-largest contract award in history in the country’s hydrocarbons industry.
A decline in capital expenditure (capex) in 2025, following two years of prolific project spending, is therefore in line with expectations. While there has been a noticeable dip in capex on engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract awards for upstream projects this year, Adnoc has still spent over $8bn year-to-date.
This year, Adnoc’s upstream spending appears to be focused on surpassing its immediate oil and gas production targets – which are already considered within reach – and on building long-term output capacity beyond 2030.
Adnoc Group subsidiary Adnoc Offshore awarded contracts totalling $7.5bn for three main EPC packages under a project to boost oil production at the Lower Zakum offshore concession in Abu Dhabi. Spanish contractor Tecnicas Reunidas and Abu Dhabi-based firms NMDC Energy and Target Engineering Construction Company were selected in February to execute EPC works on the three main packages of the Lower Zakum Long-Term Development Plan (LTDP-1) project.
The Lower Zakum hydrocarbons zone is located 65 kilometres northwest of Abu Dhabi in the Gulf’s waters. Adnoc Offshore holds the majority 60% stake in the Lower Zakum asset. Other stakeholders in the concession include an Indian consortium led by ONGC Videsh (10%), Japan’s Inpex Corporation (10%), China National Petroleum Corporation (10%), Italy’s Eni (5%) and France’s TotalEnergies (5%).
Adnoc Offshore’s broader long-term objective is to raise the asset’s production capacity to 520,000 b/d by 2027 and sustain that level through 2034.
Vital projects in queue
Looking ahead, another Adnoc Group subsidiary, Adnoc Sour Gas, has entered the decision-making phase for its project to increase the Shah gas plant’s sour gas processing capacity to 1.85 billion cubic feet a day (cf/d), following the receipt of commercial bids from contractors in July.
Based on an initial evaluation of bids, China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Company (CPECC) has emerged as the lowest bidder for the Shah gas plant expansion project.
Meanwhile, Adnoc Offshore is progressing with three additional key projects aimed at further expanding its oil and gas production capacity.
The first is a major project to increase oil production from the Satah Al-Razboot (Sarb) field, located within the Sarb and Umm Lulu concession in the Gulf.
Contractors including US-based McDermott, China Offshore Oil Engineering Company (COOEC), UAE/Saudi-based Lamprell and Abu Dhabi’s NMDC Energy submitted bids for the two main EPC packages of the Sarb field development in September. Adnoc Offshore is believed to be nearing a decision, with the contract award expected by year-end.
Adnoc Offshore is also advancing a project to boost gas and condensate production from the Umm Shaif field. The primary goal of the Umm Shaif gas cap and surface pressure boosting project is to increase gas production by 550 million cf/d and raise associated condensate output by 50 million b/d. Adnoc Offshore plans to feed approximately 520 million cf/d of the additional gas output into Adnoc Group’s sales gas network.
Adnoc Offshore is in the tendering phase for three EPC packages of the Umm Shaif gas cap development project – two offshore packages and one onshore – with contractors currently preparing technical bids.
After awarding EPC contracts worth over $1.3bn last year for two key projects as part of its campaign to increase oil production capacity at the Upper Zakum offshore field to 1.2 million b/d, Adnoc Offshore is now moving forward with the next expansion phase, which will boost the asset’s capacity to 1.5 million b/d.
Located 84 kilometres offshore from Abu Dhabi, Upper Zakum is the world’s second-largest offshore oil field and the fourth-largest overall. Contractors are currently preparing technical bids for the UZ1.5MMBD project, with the EPC scope reportedly divided into three packages.
Separately, Adnoc Gas – the natural gas processing arm of Adnoc Group – is working towards a final investment decision (FID) on a project to process gas from the Bab onshore field in Abu Dhabi in 2026.
Adnoc Gas is nearing the issuance of the main tender for the Bab gas cap development project, having completed early engagement with interested contractors.
Adnoc Gas is close to issuing the main tender for the Bab gas cap development project, having completed an early engagement process with contractors interested in participating. EPC works on the Bab gas cap project – which will add 1.85 billion cf/d of gas output – are scheduled for completion in 2029.
MEED's November 2025 special report on the UAE also includes:
> GOVERNMENT: Public spending ties the UAE closer together
> ECONOMY: UAE growth expansion beats expectations
> BANKING: Stability is the watchword for UAE lenders
> DOWNSTREAM: Taziz fulfils Abu Dhabi’s chemical ambitions at pace
> POWER: UAE power sector hits record $8.9bn in contracts
> CONSTRUCTION: UAE construction faces delivery pressures
> TRANSPORT: $70bn infrastructure schemes underpin UAE economic expansionhttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/14855366/main.jpg -
Global renewable capacity to double by 2030
13 October 2025
Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access
Global renewable power capacity is expected to more than double by 2030, led by a surge in solar photovoltaic (PV) deployment, according to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) latest medium-term forecast.
The Renewables 2025 report projects an additional 4,600GW of capacity, equivalent to the combined power generation of China, the EU and Japan.
Solar PV will account for around 80% of this increase, driven by declining costs and faster permitting timelines. Growth in wind, hydropower, bioenergy and geothermal will also contribute, with geothermal installations on track to reach record levels in key markets such as the US, Japan and Indonesia.
The IEA notes that emerging economies in Asia, the Middle East and Africa are accelerating renewable energy deployment through stronger policy support and new auction programmes. India is set to become the second-largest growth market after China and is expected to meet its 2030 target comfortably.
“The growth in global renewable capacity in the coming years will be dominated by solar PV – but with wind, hydropower, bioenergy and geothermal all contributing, too,” said IEA executive director Fatih Birol.
“Solar PV is on course to account for some 80% of the increase in the world’s renewable capacity over the next five years,” he added.
While overall forecasts remain strong, the outlook has been revised slightly downward compared with last year due to policy shifts in China and the US.
The early phase-out of federal tax incentives and regulatory changes in the US have lowered growth expectations by almost 50%. China’s move from fixed tariffs to auctions has also reduced projected capacity growth.
This has been partly offset by higher growth projections in India, Europe and other emerging markets, supported by expanded auctions, faster permitting and rising rooftop solar installations. Corporate power purchase agreements and merchant projects are expected to drive 30% of total capacity additions by 2030, double last year’s forecast.
The report also highlights supply chain risks, with more than 90% of key solar PV and wind turbine components concentrated in China. Grid congestion and curtailment are increasing as variable renewables rise, prompting several countries to launch new capacity and storage auctions to strengthen grid integration.
Renewables’ share in transport and heating will grow modestly, from 4% to 6% in transport and from 14% to 18% in heat supply by 2030.
The shift will be driven by the electrification of transport in China and Europe and the expanded use of biofuels in emerging economies.
https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/14855484/main.jpg -
Neom to retender Trojena Ski Village
13 October 2025
Trojena will retender the main construction contract for the multibillion-riyal Trojena Ski Village project in Saudi Arabia.
The client plans to reissue the tender for the package – estimated at SR12bn-SR15bn ($3.2bn-$4bn) – “in a couple of months”, according to a source.
In May, MEED exclusively reported that Trojena had received final offers from contractors for the Ski Village project.
Neom requested a new round of offers after issuing an addendum in early January. Contractors submitted revised proposals on 17 May.
The Ski Village is a superstructure consisting of five zones, from ground floor to roof, designed to mimic a ski slope and align with the surrounding mountain. The village will also include hotels, residences and retail facilities.
Designed by Hong Kong-based architecture firm Aedas, Trojena Ski Village will be the Middle East’s first outdoor ski resort.
The project is the centrepiece of the 2029 Asian Winter Games, which Saudi Arabia is scheduled to host in Neom.
In August, MEED reported that high-level discussions had begun regarding a potential shift of the 2029 Asian Winter Games venue from Saudi Arabia to South Korea.
A senior official from the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee was recently quoted by South Korean media as saying they had been contacted by the Olympic Council of Asia about the possibility of hosting the event.
Officials from the Olympic Council of Asia and the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee met in Singapore in September for further discussions on the potential hosting of the 2029 event.
South Korean media also reported that the Olympic Council of Asia sent an official letter to the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee following the Singapore meeting.
The Trojena development in Neom, located in northwest Saudi Arabia, was selected in October 2022 to host the 10th Asian Winter Games in 2029.
https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/14855072/main.jpg -
Qatari cabinet approves GCC rail link to Saudi Arabia
13 October 2025
The Qatari cabinet has approved a draft agreement that paves the way for constructing a railway link between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as part of the GCC railway network.
The draft was approved on 8 October during a cabinet session chaired by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Bin Jassim Al-Thani.
The GCC railway project has progressed steadily since the GCC Secretariat’s official announcement in January 2021, which effectively relaunched the initiative.
A string of recent announcements and commitments means that all six GCC states have either declared or signalled plans for their sections of the rail network.
GCC leaders approved the establishment of the GCC Rail Authority in January 2022. It was tasked with policymaking and coordinating efforts among member states to ensure smooth project delivery and operation.
The latest development follows MEED's report earlier in October that the authority had received technical bids for an asset management contract covering the overall scheme.
In August, MEED exclusively reported that the authority awarded a contract to develop the GCC railway’s operational plan to a joint venture of German consultancy Dornier and India’s Balaji Railroad Systems.
GCC railway line
According to the overall plan, the railway will span 2,177 kilometres, beginning in Kuwait, passing through Dammam in Saudi Arabia, reaching Bahrain via a planned causeway, and continuing from Dammam to Qatar, the UAE, and ultimately Muscat via Sohar in Oman.
The network’s route length within each member state is as follows: 684km in the UAE, 663km in Saudi Arabia, 306km in Oman, 283km in Qatar, 145km in Kuwait and 36km in Bahrain.
The railway is designed for passenger trains travelling at 220km an hour (km/h) and freight trains operating between 80 and 120km/h.
With high levels of project activity, governments in spending mode and the agreements under the Al-Ula Declaration, the latest efforts to restart the GCC railway project may make more progress than previous attempts. If the railway is finally completed, it could prove transformational for a region that feels connected to the world but divided between its constituent parts.
https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/14855094/main.gif