Arab countries reopen airspace after Iranian attack on Israel

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) - Several Arab countries announced on Sunday the reopening of their airspace to air traffic and the resumption of the operation of their airports after a suspension that lasted for hours due to the Iranian attack on Israel.

The Lebanese Ministry of Public Works and Transport said on Sunday that the country reopened its airspace to all arriving, departing and transiting aircraft after closing it at night due to the developments taking place in the region.

The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority also announced the reopening of its airspace to all aircraft arriving, departing, and crossing the country’s airspace.

“The opening of the airspace came after overcoming all risks that affect the security and safety of civil aviation in Iraq,” it said.

The Jordanian Civil Aviation Regulatory Authority also announced Sunday the reopening of the Kingdom’s airspace to air traffic at 8:15 a.m. local time (0515GMT).

“The airspace was reopened after re-evaluating the risks according to national and international standards for safety and security of civil aviation,” Haitham Misto, chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Aviation Authority, said in a statement.

Iran conducted an airborne attack Saturday against Israel in retaliation for an April 1 airstrike on its diplomatic facility in the Syrian capital. The strike killed at least seven members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two top generals.

Tehran has accused Israel of carrying out the attack and vowed to respond. Tel Aviv has not officially claimed responsibility for the attack but it has for months carried out several strikes against Iranian targets across Syria.

Iran and Hezbollah, its main ally in Lebanon, have said the attack will not go unpunished.

* Writing by Ikram Kouachi