Iraqi PM sets flight rules on coalition
Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi on Thursday said he was cancelling ‘special approvals’ for aircraft operating in Iraqi airspace
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFP) — The US-led coalition bombing jihadist targets in Iraq said Friday it was complying with a recent order by the Iraqi prime minister to halt any flights without his explicit approval.
A statement from the coalition said it had “immediately complied with all directions received from our Iraqi partners as they implemented the Prime Minister’s order.”
Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi on Thursday said he was canceling “special approvals” for aircraft operating in Iraqi airspace, which since 2014 have included coalition aircraft bombing the Islamic State group.
“The authorizations will come exclusively from the head of the armed forces,” his office said.
The decision would apply to reconnaissance operations, fighter jets, helicopters and drones, and include “all Iraqi and non-Iraqi entities.” It did not specifically mention flights operated by the coalition.
Any aircraft flying without the proper approvals “will be considered hostile aircraft and will be immediately handled by our air defenses,” according to Abdel Mahdi’s instructions.
The coalition said Friday that its senior leaders had met with Iraqi defense officials to implement the decision and insisted it was operating “in Iraq at the request, and under the protection, of the Government of Iraq.”
It came days after a mysterious explosion at an arms depot at the Saqr military camp south of Baghdad, which sent missiles stored there flying into neighboring areas, wounding 29 people.