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'We have resumed flights': Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon reopen airspace closed over Iran attack on Israel

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An image grab from AFPTV footage shows Jordanian onlookers and security agents standing around the debris of a missile that the Jordanian forces intercepted over Amman amid an unprecedented Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel. (Ahmad Shoura/AFP)
An image grab from AFPTV footage shows Jordanian onlookers and security agents standing around the debris of a missile that the Jordanian forces intercepted over Amman amid an unprecedented Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel. (Ahmad Shoura/AFP)
  • Iran attacked Israel on Saturday.
  • Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon closed their airspace.
  • Flights in those countries have since resumed.

Iraq reopened its airspace on Sunday hours after suspending all air traffic as neighbouring Iran launched an unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel, the Iraqi aviation authority announced.

Jordan, which neighbours Iraq as well as Israel, and Lebanon also reopened their respective airspace on Sunday having earlier closed them, as did Israel which said the Iranian attack had been "foiled" with most launches intercepted overnight.

The Iraqi civil aviation authority announced in a statement "the reopening of the airspace" and resumption of flights to and from airports across the country, saying there were no longer any "security risks to civilian aircraft".

Kurdish media in northern Iraq reported that Iranian drones had flown over the autonomous Kurdish region overnight.

In Jordan, civil aviation commission chief Haitham Misto told the official Al Mamlaka channel: "The Jordanian airspace has been reopened and the situation has returned to normal."

READ | 'The matter can be deemed concluded': Iran ends attack, warns Israel not to respond

Samer Majali, CEO of flag carrier Royal Jordanian, said on Sunday that the airline's flights "have resumed", though some delays can be expected.

Lebanon's Transport Minister Ali Hamie told AFP that "we have resumed flights since 7 am (04:00 GMT), and we're monitoring the situation."

The international airport in Beirut "has resumed its work", he added.

Demonstrators wave Iran's flag and Palestinian fla
Demonstrators wave Iran's flag and Palestinian flags as they gather in front of the British Embassy in Tehran on 14 April 2024, after Iran launched a drone and missile attack on Israel. Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed that a drone and missile attack was under way against Israel in retaliation for a deadly 1 April drone strike on its Damascus consulate. (Atta Kenare/AFP)

Israel, which had closed its airspace since 00:30 (21:30 GMT on Saturday) in anticipation of the Iranian attack, had reopened it by 07:30 (04:30 GMT), the Israeli airports authority said.

However, Austrian Airlines told AFP on Sunday it had suspended "all flights to Tel Aviv in Israel, Arbil in Iraq and Amman in Jordan with immediate effect" due to "recent developments in the Middle East".

"There will be no flights to or from Tel Aviv, Arbil and Amman" until Monday, spokesperson Sophie Matkovits said, adding that "the safety of personnel and passengers" was the company's top priority.

This video screengrab from AFPTV shows explosions
This video screengrab from AFPTV shows explosions lighting up the sky in Hebron, Palestinian Territories, during an Iranian attack on Israel. Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed early on 14 April 2024 that a drone and missile attack was under way against Israel in retaliation for a deadly drone strike on its Damascus consulate. (AFPTV/AFP)

The airline also said a previously announced suspension of flights to Tehran in Iran would remain in effect until Thursday.

Long-haul flights passing through the Middle East will also be rerouted, it said.

Several international airlines have suspended or redirected flights in recent days to avoid Iranian airspace.

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