International flights resumed from Syria’s major airport in Damascus on Tuesday for the first time since rebels overthrew President Bashar al-Assad last month.
Reports say Airlines flight carrying 145 passengers left Damascus about 11.45 a.m. local time for Sharjah airport in the UAE, the first international commercial flight from Damascus since December 8.
The country’s first air travel since the overthrow of the Assad administration occurred on December 18, when a test flight from Damascus touched down in the northern city of Aleppo.
Domestic flights have also restarted, and foreign diplomatic delegations and international relief planes have also begun landing in Syria.
Qatar Airways last week announced it would be resuming its route to the Syrian capital after nearly 13 years.
It hailed a “significant step in reconnecting the region”, almost a month after rebels led by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham toppled Syria’s long-time ruler, ending more than a decade of civil war.
“Qatar Airways is working closely with relevant authorities to ensure that all necessary safety, security and operational standards are met ahead of the relaunch,” the airline said.
Following the fall of the Assad government, Qatar was the second nation, after Turkey, to reopen its embassy in Damascus.
One of the primary supporters of the armed insurrection that broke out in 2011 after Mr. Al Assad’s regime put down a nonviolent rebellion was Doha. Despite its return to the Arab diplomatic fold last year, Qatar did not re-establish relations with Syria and remained a harsh opponent of Mr. Al Assad, in contrast to several of its neighbours.
