Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev discussed Azerbaijan's role in restoring Syria’s oil and gas sector last weekend in Turkey. This marked a significant diplomatic engagement, as the two leaders met for the first time on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. The discussions centered on how Azerbaijan's state oil company, Socar, could assist in developing oil and gas fields located in northeastern Syria, an area predominantly controlled by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
According to sources familiar with the talks, the Syrian government is eager to bring Azerbaijan into the fold to help bolster its energy sector, which has been severely impacted by years of civil war and international sanctions. "Syria wants to counterbalance every regional player. Having both Turkey and Azerbaijan involved in operating the oil and gas fields would provide a sense of assurance regarding Israel," stated one source.
Earlier this month, Azerbaijan hosted crucial deconfliction meetings between Turkish and Israeli officials, following Israeli airstrikes on military bases in Syria. The geopolitical complexities surrounding Syria's energy resources are further complicated by its relationships with regional powers.
In January 2025, Elchin Ibadov, CEO of Socar's Turkish arm, expressed the company's willingness to engage in Syria’s energy sector. "If Socar Türkiye is assigned a role aligned with the shared strategic interests of our countries - Azerbaijan and Türkiye - and there is demand for this energy, then it is our duty to fulfill it," he remarked.
In March 2025, a significant unification deal was signed between SDF leader Mazloum Abdi and President Sharaa, effectively granting the Damascus government control over the energy fields. However, the actual takeover of these sites by the Damascus government has yet to materialize. Reports indicate that the government plans to allocate 70 percent of the income generated from these fields to the central government, with the remaining 30 percent reserved for local needs.
Currently, Syria produces approximately 110,000 barrels of oil per day, a stark decline from 385,000 barrels per day in 2010 before the onset of the civil war. Of this production, 100,000 barrels are sourced from fields under SDF control, while the new Syrian administration contributes just 10,000 barrels. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) had estimated Syria's oil reserves at 2.5 billion barrels in 2015.
For natural gas, Syria produces 9.1 million cubic meters per day, down from 30 million cubic meters per day in 2010. The new government is responsible for 8 million cubic meters of this output, while the SDF controls 1.1 million cubic meters. The EIA estimated Syria’s gas reserves at 240 billion cubic meters in 2015.
Following the fall of the Assad government in December 2024, most global energy companies withdrew from Syria. However, earlier this year, the EU and the UK lifted some sanctions on the energy sector, allowing for a potential revival of foreign investment. The U.S. also eased restrictions by issuing General License No. 24 (GL24), which permits transactions with Syrian governing institutions under the new leadership. This license is valid for six months and is set to expire on June 8, 2025, unless renewed.
On the political front, two Republican congressmen, Cory Mills of Florida and Marlin Stutzman of Indiana, arrived in Damascus on April 18, 2025, marking the first visit by American lawmakers to Syria in many years. The visit is described as a fact-finding mission, with the congressmen expected to meet with government ministers, including President Sharaa, and religious leaders, as well as tour historical sites in the capital.
The trip was organized by the Indiana-based nonprofit Syrian American Alliance for Peace and Prosperity, which aims to promote relations between the United States and the new Syrian leadership. Dr. Tarek Kteleh, a member of the alliance, emphasized the importance of allowing American lawmakers to see firsthand how ongoing sanctions are negatively impacting the Syrian economy.
Dr. Kteleh remarked, "It is a fact-finding mission to see the situation on the ground, to visit the minorities. And to see how bad the economic situation is, but also to see how people are living and how there is peace in the country." This visit comes on the heels of deadly clashes between Assad loyalists and the new government’s security forces, which have raised concerns about the safety of Syria’s religious and ethnic minorities.
The new government is gradually establishing control across the country, disarming some militias while negotiating security agreements with others. Concurrently, the United States has begun to reduce its military presence in northeastern Syria, reflecting the evolving security landscape. Although the Islamic State remains a significant threat, the end of the Assad regime has diminished various other dangers, including Iran-backed militias and Russian troops.
Initial contacts between the former Biden administration and President al-Sharaa began shortly after the overthrow of the Assad regime, with Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara A. Leaf visiting Damascus on December 20, 2024. Leaf was the first American diplomat to visit Syria since 2012, and her visit aimed to address the fate of two missing Americans, Austin Tice and Majd Kamalmaz.
As Syria navigates its post-war recovery, the international community is closely monitoring developments. The recent diplomatic engagements and potential collaborations with Azerbaijan could signal a new chapter in Syria's efforts to restore its vital energy sector and improve relations with the West.
