Iraq suspends all air traffic amid Israeli strikes: Official reports

Baghdad: Iraq suspends all air travel at its airports on Saturday until further notice following Israel's airstrikes on the country.

"Due to regional tensions, Iraqi air traffic has been suspended until further notice to preserve the safety of civil aviation in Iraqi airspace," the country's transport minister said in a statement published by the official INA news agency.

Israel announced on Saturday that it has begun "targeted strikes" on military sites in Iran as a response to missile attacks from the country. This action follows Israel's commitment to retaliate against Iran after a missile attack on October 1.

Since the tragic attack on October 7, 2023, which claimed 1,206 lives, mostly civilians, Israel has been engaged in conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The situation has escalated, leading Israel to expand its military efforts into Lebanon, aiming to secure its northern border amid ongoing attacks from Iran-backed Hezbollah.

The October 1 missile strike was Iran's second direct attack on Israel, occurring after an Israeli airstrike killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Revolutionary Guards general Abbas Nilforoushan on September 27. This followed the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh on July 31 in Tehran, an incident widely attributed to Israel.

The rapid escalation in hostilities has raised concerns of a broader conflict in the region, with Israel potentially facing Iran and its allies, referred to as the "axis of resistance."

Agency