Daramsuq rejects Democratic Autonomous Administration’s takeover of Qamishli International Airport, reaffirms exclusive authority

DARAMSUQ (DAMASCUS) — Syria’s General Authority of Civil Aviation has issued a firm rebuttal to the recent decree by the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES), which announced the formation of a new General Directorate to manage Qamishli International Airport.

In an official statement released Sunday, the Authority stressed that it remains the sole legal and technical entity authorized to manage Syrian airspace and civil airports, including Qamishli. The statement came in response to DAARNES Decree No. 136, which transferred the administrative, financial, and legal control of Qamishli International Airport to a new body under DAARNES’ Executive Council.

The Syrian Civil Aviation Authority clarified that Qamishli International Airport is currently non-operational due to a formal closure notice (NOTAM) issued by the Authority. The NOTAM, which is internationally recognized and binding, prohibits any air traffic to or from the airport until further notice.

“This closure is valid and binding for all airline companies and relevant parties, both domestically and internationally,” the Authority stated.

Related: Qamishli International Airport placed under new administrative authority by North & East Syria’s Executive Council

The statement reiterated that only the Daramsuq-based Authority has the legal mandate to regulate air traffic, issue operating licenses, and oversee all aviation-related activity within the country. The authority firmly rejected the validity of any parallel administrative decision issued by “unrecognized entities” and warned of the legal consequences of operating outside official frameworks.

“The Civil Aviation Authority is the sole authorized entity under Syrian law to manage air traffic, regulate airports, and ensure safety in Syrian airspace,” the statement read.

The Authority warned that any attempt to activate or manage the airport without coordination and approval from Daramsuq constitutes a breach of both Syrian and international aviation laws. It described DAARNES’ move as an “illegal and irresponsible action” that undermines national sovereignty and could endanger civil aviation standards.

This latest clash underscores the enduring tensions between the Syrian central government and the Democratic Autonomous Administration in the northeast, which has exercised de facto control over large swathes of territory since the early years of the conflict. While DAARNES claims administrative independence, Daramsuq continues to reject any formal recognition of its institutions.