Latest news with #NajafInternationalAirport
Shafaq News
05-04-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Najaf Airport launches first direct flight from Medina
Shafaq News/ On Saturday, Iraq's Najaf International Airport welcomed its first direct flight from Medina, Saudi Arabia, marking the inauguration of a new air route between the two cities. Aqeel Al-Fatlawi, a spokesperson for Najaf Airport, highlighted to Shafaq News that 'the new service is an important step toward strengthening religious, tourism, and trade relations between Iraq and Saudi Arabia.' He also underscored the significance of the route during the Umrah season, which draws millions of visitors annually. 'This connection not only facilitates smoother travel for pilgrims but also supports broader cooperation between the two countries in key sectors,' Al-Fatlawi noted. Additionally, Haider Ahmed, a representative of the International Air Company, confirmed that the airline has already begun operating flights from both Najaf and Baghdad to Medina. The current fleet consists of four aircraft, with plans to increase to six by June. He also revealed that the airline intends to expand its network to include destinations such as Istanbul, Jordan, the UAE, and Bahrain in the coming months.
Shafaq News
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq clarifies US team's entry into Najaf airport
Shafaq News/ On Friday, Iraq's National Security Adviser, Qasim Al-Araji, clarified that a US reconnaissance team entered Najaf International Airport as part of a preparatory mission. The US team was preparing for an upcoming US official's visit to the province according to Al-Araji, who dismissed claims that the incident was linked to the rescue of an Israeli hostage. Al-Araji's media office released a statement saying, "The flight was authorized by the Joint Operations Command, a standard procedure for official delegations to ensure efficiency and adherence to schedules." Addressing speculation about a failed attempt to smuggle a kidnapped Israeli national, Al-Araji rejected the claims as "weak in credibility and content." He added, "If this had been a rescue operation, why prevent the smuggling instead of capturing the perpetrators and freeing the hostage? If the US had such capabilities, they would have either waited for takeoff or intervened directly." Conflicting Accounts While Al-Araji downplayed the situation, security reports provided a different account of the events at the airport. According to a security source on February 24, Iraqi security forces blocked a US delegation from entering Najaf province via the airport without proper authorization. The source reported that eight black-tinted SUVs carrying armed US personnel in bulletproof vests entered the airport without prior coordination, conducting unauthorized searches with specialized cameras inside the terminal. Additionally, two Black Hawk helicopters landed at the airport, carrying a US Embassy official in Baghdad along with armed personnel. The delegation reportedly aimed to visit the province without disclosing the official's identity. However, upon attempting to proceed, Iraqi customs and security personnel intercepted the US team, demanding they surrender their weapons and present official authorization. After refusing to comply, the US personnel were forced to return to their helicopters and depart. Speculation about a possible link to an Israeli hostage rescue operation stems from a previous case, when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed in July 2023 that Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Russian-Israeli citizen who disappeared in Iraq months earlier, was being held by Kataib Hezbollah. However, there is no confirmed connection between her case and the recent events at Najaf airport.
Shafaq News
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraqi Parliament demands answers over airport military breach
Shafaq News/ Iraq's parliamentary security and defense committee launched an investigation into reports of a foreign force storming Najaf International Airport, an Iraqi MP said on Wednesday. The committee member, Yasser Watout, told Shafaq News that the event, which occurred two days ago remains unclear, adding that Najaf authorities should explain what happened, 'as they are responsible for the security of the airport.' 'Any breach of an Iraqi airport is a violation of Iraq's sovereignty and cannot be justified under any circumstances,' he pointed out, stressing, 'This matter cannot be ignored or taken lightly.' he further revealed that a formal position on the issue will be announced within the next two days after the investigation. On Monday, eight black armored vehicles carrying armed US personnel stormed the airport and conducted searches without official authorization, additionally, two Black Hawk helicopters carrying a US official and several soldiers also landed at the airport, but Iraqi security forces denied them entry after they refused to surrender their weapons or present official clearance, forcing them to leave, a security source reported.
