Iraq Suspends Air Traffic, Closes Airspace
By John Lee.
The Iraqi Ministry of Transport has confirmed the suspension of all air traffic and the temporary closure of Iraqi airspace until further notice, citing regional security tensions and the need to safeguard civil aviation.
According to a statement from the Ministry's Media Office, the General Company for Air Navigation Services began a phased clearing of Iraqi airspace early this morning, suspending all inbound, outbound, and overflying flights.
Iraqi Airways has also halted all its flights as a precautionary measure, reaffirming its commitment to passenger safety.
The Ministry emphasised that the decision will remain in effect until a reassessment deems conditions safe for the resumption of operations.
The decision follows Israel's attack on targets in Iran this morning, which has been condemned by the Iraqi government.
(Source: Iraqi Ministry of Transport)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq: Airspace closure unlikely to disrupt dollar transfers from US
Shafaq News/ The recent suspension of air traffic is unlikely to affect the flow of US dollars into Iraq, amid escalating regional tensions, the Iraqi parliament's Finance Committee stated. Committee member Moein Al-Kadhimi told Shafaq News that Iraq's oil revenues from exports are sent to an account at the US Federal Reserve, and later transferred to Iraq through financial remittances, rather than in the form of physical cash. 'Transfers are made from the Central Bank of Iraq to the US Federal Reserve,' Al-Kadhimi explained, 'and from there, the funds are sent to various countries from which Iraq imports goods for both the public and private sectors.' He clarified that the suspension of aviation does not impact Iraq's ability to receive its oil revenues, adding that $1 to $2 billion still reaches Iraq in cash, ensuring domestic liquidity remains stable. 'Employee salaries will not be affected in any way. Cash flow is available, and salaries will be paid on schedule,' he emphasized. Earlier, the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority announced an extension of the closure of Iraqi airspace to all inbound and outbound flights, following an unprecedented wave of military escalation between Israel and Iran.
Shafaq News
4 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iranian drones crash in Iraq en route to Israel
Shafaq News/ Several Iranian drones crashed across western Iraq's al-Anbar Province on Sunday, with security sources confirming they were not targeting Ain al-Asad Air Base, but were likely headed toward Israel. A senior security official in al-Anbar told Shafaq News that the drones, which fell in scattered locations, were flying at high altitudes and on long-range trajectories. The official emphasized that security conditions across the province remain stable, with no indications of direct threats to Iraqi military sites. Iraqi forces continue to monitor the situation and are prepared to respond under existing security protocols. Approximately 11 drones were observed crashing in different parts of al-Anbar between Saturday night and Sunday morning. Some fell near Ain al-Asad, which hosts both Iraqi and US personnel, while others landed in remote desert areas. No casualties or material damage were reported. The drone activity in Iraq's airspace is unfolding amid a military exchange between Israel and Iran. Following Israeli precision strikes on Iranian nuclear, military, and oil infrastructure, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a retaliatory operation dubbed "True Promise 3", deploying missiles and drones toward Israeli territory. Iraq's geographic location between Iran and Israel places it on the flight path of long-range projectiles, especially when Iranian drones traverse the region toward targets in Israel. While not a direct party to the conflict, Iraq has increasingly become a corridor for drone and missile overflight or accidental debris.
Shafaq News
6 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq warns: Oil could hit $300 amid Iran-Israel escalation
Shafaq News/ On Saturday, Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein warned that global oil prices could surge to $300 per barrel if military tensions between Iran and Israel continue to escalate. The warning came during a phone call with his German counterpart, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, as the two discussed rising instability in the Middle East and its potential fallout for Iraq and the broader region. According to a statement from Iraq's Foreign Ministry, Wadephul underlined Germany's commitment to Iraq's stability, stressing the need to shield the country from the consequences of any wider conflict. He also pointed to the need to revive nuclear negotiations between Iran, the United States, and European nations as a key step toward de-escalation. Hussein welcomed Berlin's position but voiced concern over repeated Israeli violations of Iraqi airspace, describing them as breaches of sovereignty and international law. He further urged Germany and the international community to take a firm stance against such actions. He concluded by warning that continued escalation could drive new waves of migration toward Europe, calling for urgent international efforts to address the root causes of the crisis and prioritize diplomatic solutions.
