Syrian authorities take control of Qamishli airport under deal with SDF

By Abdulsalam Fayez

ISTANBUL (AA)—The Syrian Civil Aviation Authority said Saturday that it has taken over the management of Qamishli International Airport in northeastern Syria, under an agreement between the government and the terrorist organization YPG/SDF.

According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the authority assumed control of the airport as part of the implementation of the broader agreement signed between Damascus and the SDF.

The authority said several department directors conducted a field visit to the airport, reviewing its technical and administrative status and discussing mechanisms to resume operations in line with international safety and efficiency standards.

Authority chief Omar al-Hosari described the step as “important within the path of unifying airport management under the umbrella of the state and ensuring operations according to the highest standards of safety and international efficiency.”

Qamishli airport holds strategic significance as the only airport in areas previously under SDF control. It has not operated civil flights for the past 15 years.

On Feb. 8, a delegation from the Syrian Interior Ministry met with SDF representatives to discuss the handover of the airport’s administration, SANA reported.

On Jan. 30, the Syrian government announced that it had reached a “comprehensive agreement” with the SDF aimed at ending division in the country and launching a new phase of integration. It said the deal covering the cities of Hasakah and Qamishli and the integration of military forces complements a previous agreement signed on Jan. 18.

The latest agreement followed a military operation by the Syrian Army in which it regained large areas in eastern and northeastern Syria after repeated SDF violations of a March 2025 accord.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio in Istanbul