Security forces under the Syrian transitional government patrol the streets of Dummar, a suburb of the Syrian capital Damascus, on Jan. 15, 2025. (Credit: Bakr Alkasem / AFP)
Iranians and Israelis have been banned from entering Syria, now governed by a new administration, an airport source told AFP.
International flights resumed on Jan. 7 at Damascus' main airport, nearly a month after an Islamist-dominated coalition ousted Bashar al-Assad following a swift offensive.
Only a few airlines have resumed or announced plans to resume flights to Syria.
An airport source in Damascus, speaking anonymously to AFP on Thursday, said airport authorities had instructed airlines operating in Syria not to allow Israelis or Iranians to board flights to the country.
Israeli nationals have long been barred from entering Syria, as the two countries remain technically at war and have no diplomatic ties.
Relations between Damascus and Tehran have been at a standstill since the overthrow of Assad, who had received military support from Iran.
Two airlines appeared to be adhering to these measures, which the interim Syrian authorities have not publicly announced.
A travel agency source in Damascus said the agency "had received instructions from Qatar Airways indicating that it was currently not possible to book flights for Iranians wishing to travel to Damascus."
"However, we have not received any official instructions on the matter from the Ministry of Transport," the source added, also under the condition of anonymity.
Qatar Airways was the first international airline to announce the resumption of flights to Damascus.
Turkish Airlines announced on Wednesday that it would resume flights to Damascus starting Jan. 23, after more than a decade of suspension.
A statement on Turkish Airlines' website noted that "in line with recent decisions by the authorities of the Syrian Arab Republic, certain rules have been established for passengers entering Syria."
"Citizens of all countries, except Israel, can enter the country," the statement said, adding that Iranians "can only enter the country with prior authorization."
