Qamishli

Qamishli is a city in the Syrian Desert, on the border with Turkey, facing the city of Nusaybin on the Turkish side of the border.

Qamishli was founded in the 1920s by Assyrian peoples escaping a genocide inflicted upon them by the Ottoman Empire. Today, it is home to a large Kurdish minority, which is partly why the self-declared Kurdish autonomous region Rojava has made it their capital, taking advantage of the instability resulting from Syria's ongoing civil war. Parts of the city, including the airport, are still controlled by the central government. This uneasy coexistence has faltered several times in the 21st century, resulting in deadly skirmishes.

In the past, SyrianAir operated a daily flight from Damascus. As of February 2026, the airport is not served by civilian flights. However, the Syrian government, which has taken control of the area, has stated its intention to resume air services.

• 37.03121641.2051021 Qamishli International Airport (مطار القامشلي).  (updated Feb 2026)

As of February 2026, the border crossing between Qamishli and Nusaybin on the Syria–Turkey border remains closed, but is scheduled to reopen on 30 March 2026. All other overland routes in the area may present security risks.

There used to be passenger trains to Qamishli, but all services have been cancelled since 2012.

Road from Iraqi Kurdistan by Semalka border crossing

0°0′0″N 0°0′0″E

Map of Qamishli

• 37.04286541.223751 Farouk Mosque.  (updated Oct 2019)
• Camiya Qasimo Mosque
• St. George's Church
• School of Nisibis (ruins)

The Rojava University opened here in 2016 as a university for Syrian Kurds.

• Safety Perfumes
• Island Gas Station
• Oscar Sweets
• There is also a traditional Syrian vegetable market.

• Palace Restaurant
• French Restaurant

See the warning in the Syria article.