Syria’s Aleppo airport reopens after Israeli strikes

A satellite image depicting the damage at Aleppo airport in northern Syria following reported Israeli strikes on September 6, 2022. (AFP)
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Updated 09 September 2022
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Syria’s Aleppo airport reopens after Israeli strikes

  • Damage to the main runway in Tuesday's raid had put the airport out of service
  • The first incoming flight, from Kuwait, landed at 8:30 pm local time

DAMSCUS: Syria's Aleppo airport reopened on Friday, with the first civilian flight landing in more than 72 hours, after repairs following an Israeli air strike earlier this week.

Damage to the main runway in Tuesday's raid had put the airport -- the country's second-largest -- out of service, but the transport ministry said Friday repairs had been completed.

The first incoming flight, from Kuwait, landed at 8:30 pm local time (1730 GMT), according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group.

Earlier, a transport ministry statement carried by state news agency SANA said air traffic would resume from midday.

The Israeli strike, which the Britain-based Observatory said targeted a warehouse used by Iran-backed militias, was the second to hit the airport in just a week.

Since civil war erupted in Syria in 2011, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes against its northern neighbour, targeting government troops as well as allied Iran-backed forces and Hezbollah fighters.

While Israel rarely comments on individual strikes, it has acknowledged carrying out hundreds. It says its air campaign is necessary to stop arch-foe Iran gaining a foothold on its doorstep.


Saudi crown prince discusses regional situation with Ukrainian, Spanish leaders

Updated 5 sec ago
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Saudi crown prince discusses regional situation with Ukrainian, Spanish leaders

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held phone calls with global leaders to discuss the regional escalation and its repercussion on global peace and security.

In his discussion with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the crown prince was assured of Kyiv’s solidarity and support to measures the Kingdom was taking to protect its territory, SPA reported.

Zelensky also condemned Iran’s attacks against Saudi Arabia.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also expressed his country’s condemnation of the Iranian’s attacks on the Kingdom during his call with the crown prince.

Sanchez also emphasized his country’s rejection of any action that threatens Saudi Arabia’s security and sovereignty and affirmed Spain’s support for all measures to preserve it.