First Syrian Hajj Flight Departs from Damascus to Jeddah After 13-Year Hiatus

After a 13-year hiatus, direct flights from Syria to Saudi Arabia for pilgrims participating in the annual Hajj have resumed. On Tuesday, a flight carrying 270 Syrian pilgrims departed from Damascus to Jeddah, marking the first such flight since 2012.

Why this matters: The resumption of direct flights between Syria and Saudi Arabia marks a significant step towards normalizing relations between the two countries, which could have broader implications for regional politics and diplomacy. This development could pave the way for further cooperation and collaboration between Syria and Saudi Arabia, potentially leading to increased stability and economic growth in the region.

Suleiman Khalil, a transport ministry official, stated, "This decision only applies to the Hajj period. We are studying the reopening of a direct air route."* More flights are expected in the coming days, providing Syrian pilgrims with a direct route to the holy city of Mecca.

This development follows a slow rapprochement between the two governments, which restored diplomatic relations last year. In May 2023, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad attended his first Arab summit in 13 years in Saudi Arabia, mending ties with Riyadh and allowing Syria's return to the Arab fold.

Despite Saudi Arabia's efforts to restore ties with Assad, the rapprochement has been sluggish. Saudi Arabia only named a new ambassador to Damascus on Sunday, more than a year after the two governments restored relations. This move is seen as a significant step towards normalizing relations between the two countries.

The resumption of flights is particularly significant for Syrian pilgrims, who had to obtain visas from neighboring countries during the period of severed ties. The direct flights will facilitate their travel to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj, a vital religious duty for Muslims.

This development marks a significant milestone in the normalization of relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia. The potential reopening of a direct air route between the two countries could pave the way for further cooperation and collaboration.

The first Syrian Hajj flight's departure from Damascus to Jeddah after a 13-year hiatus signifies a major step towards reestablishing ties and facilitating religious practices for Syrian pilgrims.

Key Takeaways

• Direct flights from Syria to Saudi Arabia for Hajj pilgrims resume after 13-year hiatus.
• First flight carries 270 Syrian pilgrims from Damascus to Jeddah.
• Resumption of flights marks significant step towards normalizing Syria-Saudi relations.
• Development could pave way for further cooperation and economic growth in the region.
• More flights expected, facilitating Syrian pilgrims' travel to Mecca for Hajj.