Jan 7, 2025, 9:30 PM
Jan 7, 2025, 9:30 PM

Exiles pour into Syria as flights reopen amidst economic crisis

Highlights
  • After years of isolation, commercial flights have resumed to Damascus, starting with a Qatar Airways flight.
  • Families and friends welcomed returning expatriates at the airport, celebrating emotional reunions.
  • Despite the hopeful return of flights, Syria's economy remains in a dire state, indicating a long recovery ahead.
Story

For over a decade, war and violence rendered the skies over Damascus virtually empty, severely hindering commercial aviation. This situation changed dramatically when a Qatar Airways flight made a historic landing at the Damascus International Airport on a Tuesday afternoon, marking the first commercial flight to the capital since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war and the subsequent isolation of the country that began almost thirteen years earlier. This landmark event was met with overwhelming emotion from Syrian expatriates eager to return home. Many of these returnees were from places like the United Arab Emirates, where they had sought refuge during the tumultuous years of conflict. Upon the plane's arrival, jubilant passengers disembarked, proudly draping themselves in the Syrian flag. Families united at the airport, sharing tears of joy as they welcomed loved ones returning home. Among them was 71-year-old Mohamed Abdelqader, a motorcycle mechanic who traveled four hours from the coastal city of Tartus to greet his daughter-in-law. She had married his son six months earlier while living abroad. As they embraced at the airport, their heartfelt reunion exemplified the emotional significance of the flight and the moment it represented. Despite the return of commercial flights, it is essential to recognize that the country's situation remains dire. The aftermath of war has left Syria in a precarious state, with its economy in shambles. Infrastructure damage and ongoing security concerns continue to plague the nation, underscoring the fact that while the international community is beginning to re-engage with Syria, the road to recovery is long and fraught with challenges. The resumption of flights could gradually signal a shift in attitude towards normalization and rebuilding efforts, but the reality on the ground suggests that change will be slow to materialize and fraught with complications. In conclusion, the landing of the Qatar Airways flight not only symbolizes a new chapter in Syrian aviation history but also serves as a reminder of the extensive scars left by conflict. The experiences shared between families at the airport illustrated the human aspect of this story, but much work remains to be done before Syria can achieve stability and prosperity. The hope remains that this moment of connection could pave the way for future interactions, heralding a healing process for all involved in a nation that has suffered greatly for more than a decade.

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