--- title: "Revival of the Syrian Air Force: Su-22 over Idlib as a Symbol of a New Era" description: "πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡Ύ Revival of the Syrian Air Force: Su-22s Spotted over Idlib A video from August 10, 2026, showed two Su-22 fighters in the sky. Syrian military officials described this as a transition 'from fear to security'. Despite the collapse of the Assad regime in 2024 and Israel's 'Operation Bashan Arrow', part of the fleet survived. The Air Force is being restored at the Shayrat base. #Syria #Su22 #Military #Idlib #2026" date: 2026-08-11T22:48:23.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/revival-of-syrian-air-force-su-22-over-idlib tags: [syria, military, su-22, idlib, air-force] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Revival of the Syrian Air Force: Su-22 over Idlib as a Symbol of a New Era ![Two Su-22 fighters of the Syrian Air Force flying over Idlib with Arabic text about transition from fear to safety](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/12/syria-su-22-restoration-2026/syria-su-22-restoration-2026-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Two Su-22 fighters were spotted over Idlib, signaling the restoration of the Air Force. - Israel's 'Operation Bashan Arrow' struck hard, but part of the fleet survived. - The interim Syrian government is actively restoring its air potential. ### The Return of the 'Fitter' to the Syrian Skies On August 12, 2026, social media is actively discussing a video published on August 10, capturing two Su-22 fighter jets flying in formation over the northern part of the Idlib province. The appearance of these aircraft, painted in dark blue, has sent an unexpected signal to military analysts. As an official comment, Syrian military structures posted a photo of these fighters on Telegram with the symbolic caption: 'From the era of fear to a sign of security.' This flight demonstrates that, despite massive destruction, the Syrian Air Force continues to restore its combat potential. ### The History of the Fleet's Survival Known by the NATO reporting name 'Fitter', the Su-22 fighters have a long history in Syria. At the onset of the civil war in 2011, the Syrian Air Force possessed approximately 50 aircraft of this type in various modifications. However, by the end of 2024, when Bashar al-Assad's regime began to lose control of the country, only a few dozen units remained operational. The bulk of the disbanded squadron was based at Shayrat Air Base in the Homs province, from where, according to reports, the aircraft spotted over Idlib are taking off. ### Consequences of 'Operation Bashan Arrow' Immediately following the collapse of the Assad regime, Israel initiated a large-scale air operation dubbed 'Operation Bashan Arrow'. The goal of the campaign was to destroy the entire combat potential of the Syrian Air Force. According to Israeli media, at least one squadron of Su-22s was destroyed during these attacks. The Syrian Air Force suffered heavy losses, prompting the interim government, led by Islamists, to launch massive efforts to restore the air group. ### Technical Condition and Prospects Recent footage confirms that far more Su-22 aircraft managed to survive both the regime's collapse and the subsequent Israeli airstrikes. Last year, the appearance of a two-seat trainer Su-22UM-4K, painted in dark blue, was already recorded; it was spotted over Homs in June 2026. Developed in the 1960s, the Su-22 remains a specialized ground-attack aircraft designed for close air support and striking ground targets, making it a relevant tool in the current conflict conditions. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: Where are the restored Su-22s based? **A:** According to reports, the aircraft are capable of taking off from Shayrat Air Base in the Homs province. ### Q: What is 'Operation Bashan Arrow'? **A:** It is a large-scale Israeli air operation conducted after the collapse of the Assad regime to destroy the Syrian Air Force. ### Q: How many Su-22s did Syria have at the start of the war? **A:** In 2011, the Syrian Air Force possessed approximately 50 Su-22 fighters of various modifications.