Syrian Airplane Lands at Kuweiris Airbase for the First Time in Five Years

YemenExtra

M.A.

For the first time since 2012, a Syrian cargo plane took off from the airfield at Kuweiris Airbase and returned safely after a short period of time.

Syrian journalist Shadi Hulweh joined the Syrian pilots on their eastern Aleppo flight which was featured live on Syrian state television as a symbolic victory on Saturday evening.

Kuweiris Airbase was completely under blockade from 2012 onwards but the siege was remarkably lifted in October 2015 following a government offensive, which saved the lives of 314 beleaguered Syrian Arab Army (SAA) soldiers that had resisted a daily rebel onslaught on the isolated airport.

Kuweiris Airbase is a strategic location for the SAA as it represents a perfect launching pad to target ISIS forces in Raqqa and hostile Turkish-backed Euphrates Shield insurgents.

In a similar context, rebel forces shelled Aleppo International Airport with GRAD missiles once again today, preventing its function after it was briefly reopened in December.