The Turkish effort to become the leading power in Syria is not only reflected in its attempts to establish military bases as was announced during the past week.
Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkader Oglu stated this week that his country is working to restore railway connections between the two countries. The Turks are interested in reactivating the railway between Afrin and Aleppo in Syria.
The 50-kilometer-long railway between the two was destroyed during the Syrian civil war. The Turkish minister estimates that the cost of the restoration is estimated at approximately 60 million euros.
Turkey believes that the resumption of railway traffic will have a positive impact on trade relations between the two countries, with an emphasis on transporting Turkish goods to Syria, which will contribute to increasing Turkish influence in Syria.
It is not certain that the Turkish desire to also control the Syrian economy will please other countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia.
In the meantime, the Syrian government has not responded to Turkey's intention to restore the railway line.