Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
Saudi Arabia and Qatar have signed an agreement to build a high-speed rail connecting Riyadh and Doha, the first of its kind between the two Gulf countries. The railway will link Riyadh’s King Salman International Airport with Doha’s Hamad International Airport, while also serving Saudi cities including Al-Hofuf and Dammam.
The train will run at speeds over 300km/h (186mph), making the journey between the capitals about two hours, compared to 90 minutes by flight. The project is expected to be completed in six years, serve 10 million passengers per year, and create around 30,000 jobs across both nations.
The deal was signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during the Emir’s visit to Riyadh. The project is considered a major infrastructure milestone and reflects the growing cooperation between the two countries after years of strained relations.
Relations had broken down in June 2017 when Saudi Arabia and its allies the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt cut ties with Qatar over alleged support for groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood and close relations with Iran, which Qatar denied. Relations were fully restored in January 2021 after a summit in AlUla, Saudi Arabia.
Since then, leaders from both countries have met regularly and worked together on regional diplomacy, including supporting calls for a ceasefire in Gaza. The agreement on the high-speed rail is another sign of improving ties and long-term connectivity in the Gulf region.
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