📰 Closure of Syria’s M4 Highway strangles livelihoods in Hasakah countryside

HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – On the side of the M4 Highway in the village of Tel Tamr Shamiyah, north of Hasakah in northeastern Syria, 70-year-old Khalil Ramadan once commenced his mornings by opening his minor kiosk to greet travelers and passing drivers. His significant truck regularly transported grain and cotton between northeast and northwest Syria, providing him—and numerous others in the area—with a stable income. Today, that routine has vanished.

Since the closure of the M4 Highway, Ramadan’s kiosk remains shuttered most days, and his truck is now limited to transporting goods within Hasakah Governorate. “When the road is open, prosperity reaches everyone,” he informed North Press, recalling when the highway served as a vital artery for the region. A shortcut turned dead end Ramadan, a resident of Tel Tamr’s countryside, stated that the M4 Highway once functioned as a crucial shortcut linking cities and governorates without the need to pass through Hasakah to reach Damascus or Aleppo. Moreover, he explained that his kiosk and minor restaurant relied almost entirely on the steady flow of travelers and truck drivers. “The road’s closure stopped our work completely,” he added, expressing hope that traffic and trade would one day resume. “We want the road reopened so life and prosperity can return. ” Rising prices, shrinking trade   The impact extends far beyond individual livelihoods.

Saeed Suleiman, who owns a grocery store along the M4 Highway in the Tel Tamr countryside, stated the closure has dealt a heavy blow to commercial activity. Longer alternative routes have rose fuel consumption and transport costs, leading to noticeable price hikes in basic goods, including fruit and vegetables.   “Most people here depend on this road,” Suleiman said, noting that shops, kiosks, and rest stops were built to serve travelers. “This road has nothing to do with politics. It serves the local population, yet its closure has reduced commercial activity by more than half. ” Businesses brought to a standstill Farhan al-Ahmad, another resident and the owner of multiple shops along the highway, said the M4 once provided a livelihood for all businesses operating nearby.

Since its closure, his four shops have shut down completely, eliminating his income. “I built these shops to backing my family and help complete my home,” al-Ahmad informed North Press. “After the road closed, my income dropped by 100 percent. ” He added that the disruption has also affected transportation. Moreover, previously, the M4 connected his…