Turkish State gains control of Syria economically

The Syrian crisis, which began on March 15, 2011, continues to this day, 14 years on, in all form and manner.

The crisis, which has found expression until 2024 primarily in the form of military interference, displacement, destruction, and massacres, has also reached the economic sector.

All those who are forces intervene in the name of assistance and a solution with the aim of exploiting Syria's wealth and pillaging its riches.

One of these states is Turkey. The AKP has been militarily intervening in Syria using mercenary forces since 2013, and started open military intervention in 2016 by occupying Idlib, al-Bab, Azaz, Afrin, Serekaniye/Ras al-Ain, and Gire Spi/Tal Abyed.

The Start of the economic and cultural conquest

Turkish state created a similar type system to Turkish in the occupied territory, from education to municipalities, healthcare, culture, administration, and the economy. It imitated Turkish language education, flew Turkish flags, and applied the Turkish currency. The governors of border cities are also administering the occupied territory, and the economy is dominated by Turkish businesses. There is no correct information or statistics on the number of Turkish companies in these regions up to now.

Mercenary units of the Turkish state pillaged the occupied regions, stealing trees to historical artifacts and sending them to Turkey. Twenty-five percent of olive groves were pillaged and demolished, and the media spread many documents, photos, and videos on this topic.

The economic penetration amplification

Since the fall of the Ba'ath regime on December 8 of last year and the rise of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham to power, the Turkish state has focused its efforts on economic and commercial penetration into Syria. A report by the World Bank released in February 2023 indicates that the Syrian economy has been destroyed over 12 years of crisis. The total destruction to 14 major cities and sectors of Syria from 2011 up to the time the report was done totals $11.4 billion.

There are allegations that the Turkish state attempted to take advantage of this and monopolize the country's economy. A study conducted by the Kurdistan Center for Strategic Studies cited that on April 13, Turkey deported the governor of Antakya and 16 Turkish industrialists, economists, and merchants to Aleppo. They met with the Mufti of Aleppo, Ibrahim Shasho; the Director of Political Affairs, Saad Naasan; the deputy governors of Aleppo; the city council head, Muhammad Ali Aziz; and the director of Aleppo police, Ahmed Latouf, within the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham regime. They decided to go and visit the industrial cities and begin their studies.

15 years under Turkish control

After the meetings and negotiations, the Turkish delegation visited the industrial region of Aleppo in the Sheikh Najjar neighborhood, visiting iron and steel, cable, tractor, food, and textile factories. They also had a meeting with the president of the Aleppo Chamber of Industry. The delegation also visited the industrial regions of Hama, Homs, and Damascus.

In these sessions, it was decided to renovate old industrial shops and factories or establish new ones. To rebuild these destroyed and devastated shops during the war, Syrian and Turkish banks will bear equal expenses, and the shops will remain in Turkish companies' possession for 15 years. 75% of profits will remain with Turkish companies. A mechanism for dealing with this process was implemented.

Damascus-Annak Meetings

On the first hand, efforts were made earlier, and on the second hand, Damascus-Ankara talks escalated, and economy and trade were among the most prominent agenda of these talks.

On August 2, Turkey-Syria natural gas pipeline was inaugurated in a ceremony held in the city of Kilis in Turkey. The pipeline will transport natural gas from Azerbaijan to Syria via Turkey.

Additionally, on August 5, a ceremony was held at the Turkish Ministry of Trade, during which the Transitional Government's Trade Minister, Nidal Shaar, and the Turkish Trade Minister, Ömer Polat, attended. During this, a protocol was signed to establish the "Joint Economic and Trade Committee between Turkey and Syria."

Turkish companies in Syria

It was the result of these meetings that the prominent companies close to the Turkish military and the AKP government increased their presence in Syria. These are construction firms, energy firms, banking firms, cement firms, textile firms, telecom firms, food firms, and road firms.

Turkish companies operating in the occupied territories and presently preparing to expand throughout Syria under al-Julani's command are: Kalyon Holding: engages in construction, infrastructure, roads, railways, ports, natural gas, airport building, and energy.

energy and construction companies: Kalyon Ges Energy

Cengiz Energy: The firm is currently advancing a $7 billion project to construct an electricity network in Syria.

Enka Construction: one of the largest construction companies.

Cement and steel companies: Oyak Cement and Bursa Cement (Conglomerates belonging to the Turkish military belong to Oyak Holding).

Emlak Konut Construction

The General Directorate of Post, Telegraph and Telegraph (PTT) and Turkish Telecommunications Company (Türk Telekom) initiated their activity in the north of Syria, i.e., internet and telecommunications in Syria will be under Turkish control.

ET Energy and Catoni Group: Transportation services.

There is talk of $400 billion for the reconstruction of Syria, where Turkish companies can participate in construction, power plant, and transportation projects.

The Turkish Agricultural Bank is preparing to open branches in other areas of Syria, outside the occupied territories.

These companies generally operate in the construction, energy, transportation, and food production sectors, and after the overthrow of the Assad government, new and promising opportunities have opened up for them.

Kalyon Holding and Cengiz Holding are two major Turkish companies and major partners in major projects in Syria. These two companies are involved in these important projects:

Energy Project ($7 billion): A massive project with a capacity of 5,000 megawatts of power, aiming to meet more than 50% of Syria's electricity needs.

Damascus Airport Project ($4 billion): This project aims to expand Damascus Airport to accommodate 31 million passengers annually.

TAV Construction/TAV Airports is also an important partner in airport projects.

Formol Plastic; For pipe production.

Kibas Holding: Operating in the textile sector, it intends to establish production centers in Syria.

In this context, according to official data, the volume of trade between Turkey and Syria reached the following:

In 2024: USD 2.6 billion

In the first seven months of 2025: USD 1.9 billion

Target for 2025: USD 5 billion.

ANHA