22 Oct 2023 | 07:53 AM UTC
Syria: Flights halted at Damascus and Aleppo international airports as of morning of Oct. 22 following airstrikes /update 1
Flights halted at airports in Damascus and Aleppo, Syria, morning Oct. 22, following airstrikes. Casualties reported. Plan for disruptions.
Event
Authorities have halted operations at Damascus International Airport (DAM) and Aleppo International Airport (ALP) as of the morning of Oct. 22 following airstrikes that damaged the runways at both facilities. Officials have diverted flights to and from DAM and ALP to Bassel Al-Assad International Airport (LTK), serving Latakia. The Syrian state media claims that Israel is behind the strikes, which reportedly killed at least two people. Commercial air travel options will likely be severely limited in and out of Syria.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has not publicly acknowledged the suspected cross-border attack. Israeli airstrikes Oct. 12 caused similar disruptions at DAM and ALP, though there were no casualties. Military forces in northern Israel and Syria will almost certainly maintain a considerably heightened security posture over the coming days, especially in light of the current conflict between Hamas and Israel, which began Oct. 7. Further airstrikes, retaliatory attacks, and exchanges of cross-border fire are possible over the short term.
Context
Tensions between Syria and Israel remain extremely high. Israel has repeatedly expressed concerns about Iranian proxies in southwestern Syria and aims to prevent a build-up of Iran-backed forces in the region. Since 2017, the IDF has launched hundreds of preemptive strikes in Syria, targeting suspected Hizballah and Iran-led fighters, weapons caches, and supply convoys, primarily in the country's southwestern governorates. However, simultaneous airstrikes targeting two of Syria's key passenger air transport hubs mark an escalation of Israeli operations in Syria.
Advice
Heed the instructions of local security forces. If airstrikes, artillery fire, or warning sirens are reported in the general vicinity, take cover in the nearest bomb shelter and remain there until further instructions are issued by authorities. Plan for delays at DAM and ALP and make alternative travel arrangements where necessary.
