Renewed Moscow-Damascus flights signal revival of ties after Assad's fall - analysis

A Syrian Airlines flight from Moscow landed at Damascus International Airport on Sunday, the first civilian flight from Moscow since the fall of the Assad regime. This follows an agreement for Syria to take control of two Russian-run bases, which will become joint training centers. Syria is expanding its airline network to reconnect with the region and Europe.

A Syrian Airlines flight from Moscow landed at Damascus International Airport on Sunday, marking the first civilian flight from Moscow since the fall of the Assad regime. Syrian state media SANA reported that this resumes the carrier's air services between Syria and Russia. The flight follows an agreement between Russia and Syria that will see Syria take control of two bases in northwestern Syria that had been run by the Russians, which will become joint training centers. The article notes that Russia backed the Assad regime for decades, intervened militarily in 2015, and that the new Syrian government has sought to maintain ties with Moscow. Syria is expanding its airline network, with new flights from many countries over the past year, and plans to add European destinations. The article highlights that this cooperation matters for the region and for Israel, which has not reached out to the new Syrian government.