Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA- Four Emirati, Iranian and Omani planes, loaded with humanitarian aid for the earthquake affected victims, arrived at Damascus International Airport on Thursday.
“The Iranian plane was carrying 45 tons of aid, which includes blankets, tents, and foodstuffs needed by the people of the areas affected by the earthquake,” Iranian Ambassador in Damascus, Mahdi Sobhani said.
Ambassador Sobhani added that this is the fifth batch of relief aid provided by Iran to the Syrian people.
He noted that a sixth aid plane will arrive at Lattakia airport on Thursday, and a seventh loaded with medical aid will arrive at Damascus airport later.
Sobhani stressed that the relations between Iran and Syria are deep-rooted in all fields, and that his country will continue to support the Syrian people to overcome their suffering in these difficult days.
The Ambassador added that those who claim to defend human rights must prove their credibility and rush to support the Syrian people, as there is no time today to politicize matters.
In turn, Ambassador of Sultanate of Oman in Damascus Turki bin Mahmoud al-Busaidi said that under the directive of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, an air bridge was operated to deliver aid to Syria.
Al-Busaidi noted that the plane is among five planes that will arrive successively until Sunday, and a plane for Cham Wings Company will carry relief materials on Friday as provided by the civil society in Oman to Syria.
The Omani ambassador stressed his country’s permanent support for Syria with all capabilities to overcome the catastrophe caused by the earthquake.
He pointed out that the humanitarian duty obliges all countries to provide assistance away from any politicization.
Regarding the two Emirati aid planes, Deputy Minister of Local Administration and Environment Mu’ataz Douaji said that one of them carries 84 tons and the second 27 tons of aid, which includes blankets, tents and foodstuffs.
Douaji stated that the number of Emirati planes loaded with aid has reached seven within the framework of the open air bridge established by the UAE to assist those affected by the earthquake.
Nisreen Othman/ Ruaa al-Jazaeri