In brief
Syria's primary airport has witnessed the first wave of international flights since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad's regime, marking a pivotal moment for the war-torn nation. Amidst efforts to restore normalcy, new leaders are calling for an inclusive political transition, but face challenges from enduring sanctions.
The main airport in Syria welcomed its first international flights on January 6, 2025, following the recent fall of Bashar al-Assad's government. A Qatar Airways flight connected Doha with Damascus, marking Jordan's national carrier's first visit to Syria in over a decade as part of a supportive gesture. The new interim government, led by the Islamist coalition Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is striving to reintegrate civil servants and draft a new constitution.Despite these initiatives, Syria remains under a stringent set of international sanctions imposed during the Assad years. While the Biden administration recently eased some humanitarian aid restrictions, comprehensive sanctions persist, complicating the country's recovery efforts. The Syrian foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, criticized these sanctions, emphasizing their adverse impact on ordinary Syrians now that Assad's regime has ended.International responses to the developments in Syria have been cautious yet optimistic. European officials express a commitment to support but are wary of backing potentially radical Islamist structures. Germany's foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, conveyed this sentiment during her recent visit to the region. As the new government strives for legitimacy and cooperation, the balance between engagement and caution remains at the forefront of international relations with Syria.
