Emirates suspends Tunisia flights over terrorism fears

dubai — Some Tunisian women were banned from boarding Emirates flights from Tunis to Dubai over security fears, a Tunisian government official has said. AFP quoted Saida Qarash, a spokesperson of the Tunisian Presidency, as telling a local radio channel that the UAE authorities had “serious security information” about the possibility of terrorist attacks. The information indicated that with Tunisians returning from Syria and Iraq, there is “a possibility of a terrorist attack involving either Tunisian women or women carrying a Tunisian passport”, Qarash said, suggesting that they could be using false identities.

The move was a “sovereign decision of the UAE and doesn’t represent a crisis or a desire to harm relations between Tunisia and the UAE”.

Meanwhile, Emirates airline has stopped all services between Dubai and Tunisia with effect from December 25 as instructed by Tunisian authorities, a spokesperson said.

In a statement sent to Khaleej Times, Emirates said: “As instructed by the Tunisian authorities, Emirates will stop all its services between Dubai and Tunisia starting from December 25 until further

notice. Affected passengers are advised to contact their travel agent or booking office for assistance.”

According to international reports published on December 24, a number of Tunisian women were prevented from boarding its flights over several days.

However, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash said “security information” prompted the UAE’s move. He tweeted: “We contacted our brothers in Tunisia about security information that led to the imposing of temporary specific procedures.

“In the UAE, we are proud of our experience of empowerment of women. We respect and appreciate the Tunisian women. Together we should avoid any inaccuracies,” he said.

A source told Khaleej Times that the Tunisian women were “temporarily” denied boarding due to a specific threat. The affected passengers were dealt with in a “professional manner” and they will be given complimentary air tickets. He said the uproar that followed the security measures taken by Emirates was “unjustified”.

The source said the women were barred from boarding in order to verify their identity. This was in view of the fact that over 8,000 Tunisian men and 200 women were on the battlefield with Daesh and other terror groups.

He added that the decision was “purely security-related” and had nothing to do with politics since the UAE and Tunisia have established long and strong cordial relations.

reporters@khaleejtimes.com

In the UAE, we are proud of our experience of empowerment of women. We respect and appreciate the Tunisian women.” Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs