In brief
Syria's main airport has resumed international flights for the first time since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, though the new government faces considerable challenges including ongoing sanctions imposed by the international community.
After months of political upheaval, Syria's main airport, Damascus International, has welcomed its first international flights since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad's government in December. On Tuesday, the airport saw the arrival of a Qatar Airways flight from Doha, marking a significant step towards normalcy for the war-torn nation. Jordan's Civil Aviation Authority also announced an inaugural flight to Damascus, indicating a "message of support" to Syria after 13 years of absence by its national carrier.In addition, Syria's national airline facilitated a flight to the United Arab Emirates, with video footage showing jubilant passengers waving flags and singing patriotic anthems. These developments occur as the newly formed Islamist-led interim government of Syria—dominated by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham—sets about the task of rebuilding the country's infrastructure and governance systems. The leaders have committed to drafting an inclusive constitution and are actively urging civil servants to resume their work operations.Despite these upbeat initiatives, Syria grapples with a stringent set of international sanctions established during Assad's regime. The new administration faces skepticism from Western leaders who express cautious optimism, worried about the potential for Islamist governance or internal instability. Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s foreign minister, indicated that while Europe is willing to assist, it will not support new Islamist structures.One of the new government's key priorities is to alleviate these sanctions. Ahmed al-Shara, the rebel coalition's leader who oversaw the previous regime's ousting, has called on the U.S. and international community to reconsider these economic restrictions. Just recently, the Biden administration eased some humanitarian aid restrictions; however, various sanctions remain intact, reflecting the complex international sentiment regarding Syria's future.Meanwhile, foreign minister Asa'ad Hassan al-Shibani has urged for the lifting of remaining sanctions, arguing that the reasons for their implementation were invalidated by Assad's departure. He emphasized that the continuing sanctions adversely affect the Syrian populace rather than serve as leverage against a deposed regime. As the nation embarks on this arduous path toward rebirth, the world watches with a mix of hope and apprehension for what lies ahead for Syria.
