Turkey to cancel all flights to Iraqi Kurdistan Region within days

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Ankara, Sep 27, IRNA -- All flights from Turkey to Iraqi Kurdistan Region and vice versa will be cancelled by Friday evening, Consulate General of Turkey in Erbil, Iraq announced.

In line with Turkey's punitive policies against Iraqi Kurdistan Region as regard holding referendum, Turkish Air, Pegasus Airlines and Atlasjet Airline will stop flights to Kurdistan Region, according to Turkish nationwide television news channel (NTV).

According to Consulate General of Turkey in Erbil, Iraq has requested to cancel flights.

While Iraq has lately been involved in counter-terrorism operations against the terrorist group of Daesh (ISIS) in its western areas, it is now being faced with new challenges over holding a referendum in the Kurdistan Region which is governed by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), with the city of Erbil as its capital.

A referendum is approved by Iraqi Kurdistan parliament was held on September 25 despite harsh oppositions from the federal government in Baghdad, and warnings from the neighboring countries on the repercussions.

Translator: Ali Izadi

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