Temporary adjustment in the destination of Syrian pilgrims returning through Turkey due to regional escalation.

The Directorate of Hajj and Umrah in the Syrian Ministry of Awqaf announced a temporary change in the destination for Syrian pilgrims arriving from Saudi Arabia. Their flights will now be redirected to Gaziantep Airport in Turkey instead of Damascus International Airport, in order to ensure their safety amidst the current security developments in the region following the recent Israeli-Iranian escalation.

In an official statement issued by the Directorate, it was mentioned that this decision applies to pilgrims traveling on Turkish Airlines flights on specific dates, June 16 and 17, 2025, with flight numbers TK5253, TK5251, TK5315, TK5317.

The Ministry clarified that this measure was taken after coordination with relevant authorities in Saudi Arabia and Turkey to ensure the highest safety and comfort standards for the pilgrims during their return journey. It was also confirmed that they will be transported from Gaziantep Airport to inside Syria through approved land crossings, with precise regulatory measures in place to ensure their safety, in accordance with established protocols.

Furthermore, the Directorate prayed to Allah to "protect the pilgrims and return them safely to their homes," reaffirming its commitment to monitoring all details of their journeys until their safe arrival.

This decision comes amidst escalating regional tensions, as the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority announced the closure of Syrian airspace to civilian traffic last Saturday as a precautionary measure following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian sites. This led to the suspension of Syrian Air flights until further notice, with the Authority stating that the closure decision will be continuously evaluated based on field developments.

Originally, the return flights for Syrian pilgrims were scheduled from Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Airport in Medina to Damascus International Airport starting from June 16, before the destination was modified due to the emergency circumstances.