INA - BAGHDAD

The Minister of Transport, Razzaq Muhaibis Al-Saadawi, announced on Tuesday the complete suspension of air traffic in all Iraqi airports, temporarily.

"Due to regional tensions, Iraqi air navigation has been suspended until further notice; to maintain the safety of civil aviation in Iraqi airspace," according to a statement by the Ministry's Media Office - quoting Al-Saadawi - received by the Iraqi News Agency - INA.

The statement added that "the General Company for Airports and Air Navigation Management has begun gradually evacuating Iraqi airspace from incoming, departing and transiting aircraft; to maintain the safety of passengers arriving at Iraqi airports as well as aircraft crossing our airspace."

"The General Company for Iraqi Airways has suspended all its flights temporarily, for precautionary reasons until further notice; to preserve the safety of passengers," included the statement.