Iraq Extends Airspace Closure For Another 72 Hrs Over Security Concerns

BAGHDAD, March 16 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority on Monday announced a further 72-hour extension of the country's airspace closure, citing ongoing regional tensions, reported Xinhua.

In a statement, the authority said the extension applies to all "arriving, departing, and overflying aircraft" from 12.00 pm local time (0900 GMT) Monday until 12.00 pm Thursday.

The suspension is a "temporary precautionary measure" based on a continuous security assessment, it said, noting that the situation will be re-evaluated "in accordance with any new developments".

Airlines and relevant authorities will be notified of any further updates regarding the security environment, it added.

The extended closure follows heightened regional tensions triggered by joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran starting from Feb 28, to which Iran and Iran-aligned groups responded with attacks on Israeli and US interests across West Asia.  

-- BERNAMA-XINHUA