M4 Highway re-opened to civilians, trading in Syria’s northeast

TEL TAMR, Syria (North Press) – The M4 Highway, which connects the northern Syrian towns of Tel Tamr and Ain Issa, re-opened on Sunday to civilian and commercial traffic after it was closed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

A source from the Internal Security Forces (Asayish) told North Press that the highway closed in July due to the pandemic.

The highway re-opened after discussions with Russian forces that cooperate with Turkish forces. Additionally, after the re-opening, there was both heavy civilian and commercial traffic on the road.

Trucks and civilian cars travelled on the highway, accompanied by Russian troops that secure the highway under a previous agreement with Turkish forces.

Pavel Igorian, a Russian official, told North Press, “The M4 re-opened after a long-term discussion with Turkey.”

The first convoy travelled on the M4 in May from Tel Tamr headed towards Ain Issa, accompanied by Russian armored vehicles and helicopters.

The M4 is the most important economic route for northeastern Syria.

Turkey and its affiliated opposition groups took control of parts of the highway last year during the Turkish invasion of Sere Kaniye and Tel Abyad, and targeted civilians who travelled on the highway.

(Reporting by Delsouz Yousef)