Editing Transport in Syria

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'''Transport in Syria''' is possible by rail, road, air or rivers, both public and private. [[Syria]] is an [[Asia]]n country with a well-developed rail network (2,052&nbsp;km) and a highway system (782&nbsp;km). Main international airport is the [[Damascus International Airport]] in the capital, [[Damascus]].
[[File:CFS Alstom-Lokomotive Prima DE 32 C AC.jpg|right|thumb|A train of [[Syrian Railways]]]]
[[File:Damascus, Syria, Highway.jpg|right|thumb|Highway in Damascus]]

== Railways ==
:{{Main|Syrian Railways}} 
:{{See also| Hejaz railway}}
''total:''
2,052&nbsp;km
<br/>''standard gauge:''
1,801&nbsp;km of {{RailGauge|1435mm}} gauge
<br/>''narrow gauge:''
251&nbsp;km of {{RailGauge|1050mm}} gauge (2006)

=== Railway links with adjacent countries ===
* {{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Transport in Turkey|Turkey]] - yes, at [[Qamishli]]/[[Nusaybin]], {{RailGauge|1435mm}}
* {{flagicon|Israel}} [[Israel]] - defunct
* {{flagicon|Iraq}} [[Transport in Iraq|Iraq]] - yes, at [[Al-Yarubiyah]]/[[Rabia, Iraq|Rabiya]], {{RailGauge|1435mm}}
* {{flagicon|Jordan}} [[Transport in Jordan|Jordan]] - yes - {{RailGauge|1050mm}} - in 2005, work commenced to build a {{RailGauge|1435mm}} line<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/middle-east/syria/transportation | title=Syria — Transportation }}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Lebanon}} [[Transport in Lebanon|Lebanon]] - defunct

=== Developments ===
* On 22 April 2005 Syria ratified the Agreement on International Railways in the Arab [[Mashriq]], which provides for the implementation of a variety of north–south and east–west links between the states of the region, including the restoration of direct rail links between Syria and Lebanon and Iraq.
* On 7 July 2005 the Syrian General Establishment for the [[Hejaz Railway]] announced that it had signed a contract worth US$54 million with a Lebanese company to build a railroad between Damascus and Damascus International Airport.
* 2007 - proposed high-capacity public [[Rapid transit|metro]] system in Damascus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://commercialsy.com/en/page/experts-argue-about-the-feasibility-of-the-damascus-metro-this-is-what-they-said|title=Damascus Metro}}</ref>
* 2008 - proposed joint rolling stock factory with [[Turkey]] at [[Aleppo]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.railwaysafrica.com/|title=Railways Africa|first=Railways|last=Africa|website=Railways Africa}}</ref>
* 2023 - the restoration of the rail link with Iraq ([[Iraqi Republic Railways|IRR]]) and the proposal to extend the railway from [[Al-Qa'im border crossing|Al-Qaim]] in Iraq through [[Al-Bukamal]] in Syria to [[Homs]] for a total distance of 270 kilometers and thence to Tartus are under discussion.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/construction/iraq-and-syria-discuss-railway-link-n5pgbzws | title=Iraq and Syria discuss railway link|author=Majda Muhsen, Anoop Menon|publisher=Zawya project|access-date=8 September 2022|date=9 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Iran and Iraq again agree to connect their railway networks |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/12/iran-and-iraq-again-agree-connect-their-railway-networks|access-date=2022-09-11|website=www.al-monitor.com|language=en}}</ref> This will establish rail connection with Iran ([[Islamic Republic of Iran Railways|RAI]]) and Persian Gulf.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.alwatanonline.com/%D9%85%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%AB%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%B9%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%AE%D8%B7%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1/|title=مباحثات سورية عراقية لتفعيل خطوات الربط السككي بين موانئ البلدين وتعزيز مشاريع النقل المشتركة|trans-title=Syrian-Iraqi discussions to activate railway connectivity between the ports of the two countries and enhance joint transport projects|access-date=19 January 2024|date=11 January 2024|publisher=Al Watan online}}</ref>

== Road transport ==
An overland trans-desert bus service between [[Beirut]], [[Haifa]], [[Damascus]] and [[Baghdad]] was established by the ''[[Nairn Transport Company]]'' of Damascus in 1923.<ref name=SAW>[https://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/198104/the.nairn.way.htm The Nairn Way] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429080050/https://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/198104/the.nairn.way.htm |date=2014-04-29 }} by John M. Munro and Martin Love in ''Saudi Aramco World'', July/August 1981, Vol. 32, No. 4. Retrieved 28 April 2014.</ref>

=== Roads ===
[[File:Autostrada Map-SYR.png|Map of Syrian Motorways|thumb|right]]
''total:''
68,157&nbsp;km
<br/>''paved:''
61,514&nbsp;km (including 1,103&nbsp;km of expressways)
<br/>''unpaved:''
6,643&nbsp;km (2006)

===Motorways===

Syria has a well-developed system of [[motorway]]s in the western half of the country. The eastern part nevertheless has only connection through two lanes roads due to the sparsity of the population. The main motorways in Syria are the following:

*[[M1 motorway (Syria)|M1]] - Runs from [[Homs]] to [[Latakia]]. It also connects [[Tartus]], [[Baniyas]] and [[Jableh]]. Its length is 174&nbsp;km.
*M2 - Runs from [[Damascus]] to [[Jdeidat Yabous]], on the [[Lebanon–Syria border|border with Lebanon]]. It also connects [[Al-Sabboura]]. Its length is 38&nbsp;km.
*[[M4 Motorway (Syria)|M4]] - Runs from [[Latakia]] to [[Saraqib]]. It also connects [[Arihah]] and [[Jisr al-Shughur]]. Its length is 120&nbsp;km. Assuming that it shares some 60&nbsp;km with the Motorway M5, it arrives until [[Aleppo]], and from there, it has been expanded as a two-lane expressway that continues further east into the [[Iraq–Syria border|Iraqi border]], ultimately reaching its destination at [[Mosul]].
*[[M5 Motorway (Syria)|M5]] - This is the most important motorway in the country,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/the-m5-highway-of-death-is-the-key-to-controlling-syria-33692|title=The M5 highway of death is the key to controlling Syria|website=The M5 highway of death is the key to controlling Syria}}</ref> due to its length and as it functions as the south–north backbone of the country network. It connects the [[Jordan–Syria border|border with Jordan]] in the south with [[Damascus]], the capital, and continues further north to [[Aleppo]], the country's second largest city. Its length is {{convert|450|km}}.<ref name=ap-20200214>{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/9f6d1f6ea8866e2d82e41b9bf08e67a5 |title=AP Explains: Why Syria's M5 is Assad's highway to victory |last=Karam |first=Zeina |author-link=Zeina Karam |publisher=Associated Press |date=14 February 2020 |access-date=6 March 2020}}</ref><ref name=haaretz-20200222>{{cite news |url=https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/syria/highway-linking-largest-syrian-cities-reopens-after-eight-years-1.8564876 |title=Highway Linking Largest Syrian Cities Reopens After Eight Years |agency=Associated Press |publisher=Haaretz |date=22 February 2020 |access-date=13 March 2020}}</ref>
*M20 - Also known as Desert Highway. Runs from [[Tadmur]] to [[Deir ez-Zor]], it also connects [[Al-Sukhnah, Syria|Al-Sukhnah]]. Its length is {{convert|203|km}}.

=== Developments ===
* 2022 - proposed east–west highway between [[Iraq–Syria border|Syrian–Iraqi border]] ([[Abu Kamal]]) and [[Tartus]] through [[Homs]].
* 2023 - proposed north–south highway linking the [[Syria–Turkey border|Syrian-Turkish border]] in the north with the [[Jordan–Syria border|Syrian-Jordanian border]] in the south through Aleppo, Homs and Damascus.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://sana.sy/en/?p=309684|title=Syria- China discuss developing transport cooperation|publisher=[[Syrian Arab News Agency]]|date=29 May 2023|access-date=30 May 2023|author=Bushra Dabin/Shaza Qriema}}</ref>

== Waterways ==
Syria has approximately 900 km of rivers, and they are of minimal economic importance. Syria is divided into seven main water basins, and 16 [[List of rivers of Syria|major rivers and tributaries]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Water Resources in Syria |url=https://water.fanack.com/syria/water-resources/ |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Fanack Water |language=en-US}}</ref> The [[Euphrates]], the longest river in West Asia, flows across {{Convert|710|km}} of Syria, and is Syria's only [[navigable river]]. In 1974 the completion of the [[Tabqa Dam|Taqba Dam]] on the Euphrates created [[Lake Assad]], the largest lake in Syria.

== Pipelines ==
*crude oil 1,997&nbsp;km; petroleum products 3,161&nbsp;km (2010)
*[[Arab Gas Pipeline]], [[Iran–Iraq–Syria pipeline]], [[Kirkuk–Baniyas pipeline]]

== Ports and harbors ==
Syria's primary port is located in [[Port of Latakia|Lakakia]], with additional ports at [[Baniyas]], [[Jablah]], and [[Tartus, Syria|Tartus]].

== Merchant marine ==
''total:''
19 ships ({{GT|1,000|metric|disp=long}} or over) totaling {{GT|429,005|metric}}/{{DWT|626,069|metric|disp=long}}
<br/>''ships by type:''
[[bulk carrier]] 4, [[cargo ship]] 14, carrier 1 (2010)

== Airports ==
{{Main|List of airports in Syria}}
{{See also|List of airlines of Syria}}

As of 2012, Syria had a total of 99 airports. The major airports are: [[Aleppo International Airport]], [[Latakia International Airport]], [[Damascus International Airport]], [[Deir ez-Zor Airport]], [[Kamishly Airport]], and [[Palmyra Airport]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://centreforaviation.com/data/profiles/newairports/new-damascus-international-airport|website=centreforaviation.com|title=New Damascus International Airport|access-date=17 June 2022}}</ref>

=== Airports (with paved runways)===
''total:'' 29<br/>
''over 3,047 meters in length:'' 5<br/>
''2,438 to 3,047 meters:'' 16<br/>
''914 to 1,523 meters:'' 3<br/>
''under 914 meters:'' 5

=== Airports (with unpaved runways)===
''total:''
70
<br/>''1,524 to 2,437 m:''
1
<br/>''914 to 1,523 m:''
14
<br/>''under 914 m:''
55 (2012)

== See also ==
{{Portal|Railways}}
* [[Ministry of Transport (Syria)]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Syria topics}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Transport in Syria}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090213223749/http://cfssyria.org/CFS/index.php?option=com_frontpage CFS]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transport In Syria}}
[[Category:Transport in Syria| ]]