First Syrian jet in over a decade transports Muslim worshippers to Saudi Arabia for Hajj pilgrimage

By ALBERT AJI
Associated Press

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — For the first time in over a decade, 270 Syrians have traveled on a direct flight from Damascus to Saudi Arabia for the annual Islamic Hajj pilgrimage, according to the Syrian Transportation Ministry. Tuesday’s development marks an ongoing thaw in relations between Damascus and Riyadh, which days ago appointed Saudi Arabia’s first ambassador to war-torn Syria since severing ties in 2012. A second plane of pilgrims is set to depart from Damascus to Jeddah late Tuesday, the ministry said. 1.8 million Muslims from around the world took part in last year’s Hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, making it one of the world’s largest religious gatherings.