| M4 Motorway | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Route information | |
| Length | 120 km (75 mi) |
| Location | |
| Country | Syria |
| Highway system | |
TheM4 motorway is a highway in northernSyria, which runs almost parallel with itsnorthern border withTurkey.
The M4 runs fromLatakia toSaraqib, where it intersects with the "International Road"M5.[1][2] It also connectsArihah andJisr al-Shughur. Its length is 120 kilometres (75 mi). Assuming that it shares 60 km with the M5, it arrives untilAleppo, and from there, it has been expanded as a two-lane expressway that continues further east into theIraqi border, ultimately reaching its destination atMosul.
In October 2019, the highway became a warzone, asTurkish-backed Syrian rebel forces advanced into the Kurdish-controlled region ofRojava. Civilians have been killed near the motorway.[3][4] Turkish media also reported that it was the goal of the2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria to reach the M4 highway in theTurkish occupation of northern Syria.[5]
On 25 May 2020, the highway was reopened for the first time in seven months since October 2019 in northeastern Syria, after Russian mediation to reopen parts of the roadcaptured last year by Turkish-backed opposition fighters.[6]