Syria: First international flights land after Assad fall

Published

3 months ago

January 7, 2025

Qatar Airways had already begun bringing aid into Syria on cargo planes in late December © Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/REUTERS

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A Qatar Airways flight landed at Damascus international airport on Tuesday, marking the first time a commercial flight has landed in the Syrian capital since the fall of former President Bashar Assad a month earlier.

It was also the first time a Qatari commercial crafthas flown to Syria in 13 years. Most international carriers suspended service to Syria after Assad’s brutal clampdown on pro-democracy protests in 2011 sparked the Syrian Civil War.

The flight landed shortly after the airport’s first commercial take off took place, heading for the United Arab Emirates.

A spokesperson for Jordan’s flagship carrier, Royal Jordanian, also confirmed that a flight would be leaving the capital Amman for Damascus later on Tuesday for a test flight.

Airport under assessment

Syria’s Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission chief, Captain Haitham Misto, said he would be aboard that flight in order to evaluate the preparedness of Damascus airport to restore full international traffic.

As rebels swept into the capital in the early days of December, workers and military personnel abandoned the airport as the fall of Assad’s regime became imminent.

Several leaders of Syria’s interim government were in Jordan on Tuesday to discuss normalizing ties and reducing the flow of highly addictive Captagon amphetamines from Syria through Jordan to other Gulf States.

PRESIDENT TINUBU CONDEMNS LATEST ATTACK IN PLATEAU, CHARGES GOVERNOR MUTFWANG WITH RESOLVING UNDERLYING COMMUNAL ISSUES

Published

17 minutes ago

April 14, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU CONDEMNS LATEST ATTACK IN PLATEAU, CHARGES GOVERNOR MUTFWANG WITH RESOLVING UNDERLYING COMMUNAL ISSUES

President Bola Tinubu expresses profound sorrow over the recent bloodshed in Plateau State, a tragedy that has claimed the lives of over 40 individuals.

He strongly condemns the violence and extends his sympathies to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the state government, and the people of Plateau while urging him to summon the necessary political will to resolve the crisis and establish enduring peace.

In his call for harmony among the people of Plateau State, President Tinubu emphasises the importance of love and unity beyond religious and ethnic lines. He encourages community, spiritual, and political leaders within and beyond the state to unite and end the cycle of retaliatory attacks that have made life unbearable for affected communities.

“The ongoing violence between communities in Plateau State, rooted in misunderstandings between different ethnic and religious groups, must cease,” President Tinubu asserts.

“I have instructed security agencies to thoroughly investigate this crisis and identify those responsible for orchestrating these violent acts. We cannot allow this devastation and the tit-for-tat attacks to continue. Enough is enough.

“Beyond dealing with the criminal elements of these incessant killings, the political leadership in Plateau State, led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, must address the root cause of this age-long problem. These problems have been with us for more than two decades. We can no longer ignore the underlying issues. It is time to tackle them fairly and find a lasting solution. I have discussed these problems with the governor over time and offered suggestions for lasting peace.

“The Federal Government remains committed to supporting Governor Mutfwang and the Plateau State government in promoting dialogue, fostering social cohesion, and ensuring accountability—crucial steps towards permanently resolving the conflict in Plateau”.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information and Strategy)

April 14, 2025

War: Ukraine loses 235 soldiers in 24 hours

Published

4 hours ago

April 14, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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No fewer than 235 soldiers have been lost in the past day by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kursk direction.

The Russian Defence Ministry made the claim Monday in a statement made available to newsmen.

According to NAN, Ukraine has so far, lost 74,245 service people and 406 tanks during the offensive in the Kursk direction, the ministry also said.

The ministry also stated that in the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian armed forces lost up to 235 service people, an armored personnel carrier; three combat armored vehicles, 14 cars, and four field artillery weapons.

Others include four mortars and a BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system.

Ekwutosblog earlier reported that two Russian missiles on Sunday struck the heart of the city of Sumy in Ukraine, killing at least 31 persons including children.

France President, Emmanuel Macron, while reacting to the sad incident, condemned the development, stating that France is working towards imposing a ceasefire on Russia.

Bandits abduct resident in hours after cleric’s kidnapping in Katsina

Published

5 hours ago

April 14, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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Suspected bandits on Sunday night invaded the Tamarke community in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State, kidnapping one resident, barely a day after the abduction of a prominent Islamic cleric in a separate attack in Ƙankara LGA.

This development was contained in a post by Katsina-based security analyst Bakatsine on Monday.

According to the analyst, the attackers stormed the Tamarke community under the cover of darkness, firing sporadically before whisking away a local resident to an unknown destination.

“Yesterday night, bandits invaded the Tamarke community in Bakori LGA, Katsina State and abducted one person. Just less than 24hrs after the abduction of Sheikh Mustapha Aliyu Unguwar Mai-Kawo in Ƙankara LGA,” Bakatsine wrote.