The Syrian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has announced the SilkLink project, a major initiative in collaboration with global companies to enhance Syria’s optical fiber infrastructure and create a regional internet hub. This project aims to position Syria as a strategic data corridor between Asia and Europe.
Minister of Communications Abdulsalam Haykal shared details of the project on “X” (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, May 13, stating that SilkLink would place Syria on the global digital map, facilitating data movement between continents. He emphasized that this initiative would be a significant upgrade to Syria’s telecommunications infrastructure through the creation of an extensive optical fiber network.
Haykal further highlighted that SilkLink represents a vision for Syria’s digital future, one that aligns with the country’s capabilities and aspirations. He drew comparisons to Syria’s historic role along the ancient Silk Road, aiming to restore the nation’s position as a global communications hub.
The project will span approximately 4,500 kilometers of optical fiber, connecting major cities such as Damascus and Aleppo, as well as regional switching centers in Palmyra and other southern and eastern regions. It will also include a landing point for submarine cables in Tartus. Additionally, SilkLink will establish regional connection points with neighboring countries, including Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey, and will create a new land route connecting Europe to Asia.
This announcement follows the May 4 launch of the first phase of the “Ugarit 2” project, a collaboration between the Syrian Ministry of Communications, American telecommunications company UNIFI, the Syrian Telecommunications Company, and the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (CYTA). This phase aims to upgrade the 30-year-old submarine cable, increasing internet capacity to Syria within two months, with a second phase planned to lay a new 250-kilometer submarine cable between Pentaskinos in Cyprus and Tartus.
Minister Haykal reaffirmed Syria’s commitment to building a robust communications framework capable of meeting global economic demands, improving connectivity, and fostering innovation and economic growth. The Ministry also continues efforts to enhance Syria’s global connections.
Additionally, Syria has introduced “Wi-Fi outdoor” technology as a solution to provide digital connectivity in areas with damaged infrastructure. This service is available through licensed companies, which are regulated to ensure compliance with the terms specified in their licensing agreements, allowing broader internet access in underserved regions.
