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SilkLink Fiber Optic Cable Project
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Project overview
SilkLink is a national initiative to build a 4,500 km fiber optic cable with a capacity of 100 terabits per second across Syria. It is intended to connect Syrian cities and position Syria as a digital corridor between Asia and Europe, with submarine landing stations in Tartus and inland data centers.
In early 2026, the Saudi company stc won the contract to implement the project's infrastructure, with an investment exceeding 3 billion riyals (approximately 800 million US dollars), in partnership with the Syrian fund.
Objectives
- Improve internet quality within Syria.
- Establish the country as a regional digital hub for data transfer and international communications.
- Use Syria's geographical location as a modern extension of the historic Silk Road.
Geographical route and infrastructure
The planned network spans approximately 4,500 kilometers of optical fiber and includes:
- A complete link between Damascus and Aleppo.
- Switching centers in Palmyra, the Eastern Region, and the Southern Region.
- A submarine cable landing point in Tartus on the Syrian coast.
The project includes activating regional contact points with Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey, forming a land route linking Europe to Asia as an alternative or complement to traditional maritime routes in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SilkLink project?
SilkLink is a national initiative to build a 4,500 km fiber optic cable across Syria with a capacity of 100 terabits per second, connecting Syrian cities and linking Asia to Europe.
Who is implementing the project and at what cost?
In early 2026, the Saudi company stc won the contract to build the infrastructure, with an investment exceeding 3 billion riyals (approximately 800 million US dollars), in partnership with the Syrian fund.
What route does the cable follow?
The network covers approximately 4,500 kilometers, including a link between Damascus and Aleppo, switching centers in Palmyra and the Eastern and Southern regions, and a submarine landing point in Tartus.
Which countries does the project connect to?
It activates regional contact points with Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey, forming a land route between Europe and Asia.
Update — 2026-02-25
According to the specialist publication Submarine Networks on 25 February 2026, Saudi Arabia's stc Group holds a 75% stake in the joint venture while the Syrian Sovereign Fund retains 25%, against a total investment of SAR 3 billion (about USD 800 million).
The scope, per the same source, covers more than 4,500 km of optical fibre across Syria, data centres, a submarine cable landing station in Tartus, and regional interconnection points with Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, delivered in two phases over an estimated 18 to 24 months. Developing Telecoms reported on 9 February 2026 that the initiative originated with Syria's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, which launched it in May 2025, and that stc won the project through a competitive tender.
Sources
