Iraqi Public and Political Figures Protest Government’s Flight Restrictions on Iran
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, prominent Iraqi figures and organizations, including Ayatollah Modarresi’s office, Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, the Basair Movement, the Basra Provincial Council, and key political leaders Qais al-Khazali and Hadi al-Amiri, have openly protested the Iraqi government’s decision to suspend flights with Iran. This stance is in solidarity with Iran and signals a strong disagreement with the government’s policy.
Among the most significant criticisms is the perceived neutral stance of the Coordination Framework and threats of demonstrations at airports. Demonstrators in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square expressed their loyalty to Iran, chanting “No, no to the blockade” and making their objections to the Iraqi government’s decisions clear.
Residents of Basra and Baghdad provinces organized public gatherings to protest recent decisions impacting flights between Iraq and Iran. Organizers of these protests characterized the recent measures as aligning with U.S. demands and part of sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, urging the Iraqi government to reject these decisions.
These protests have intensified as several Iraqi political personalities have reacted to the restrictions. In this regard, members of the Basra parliament have initiated a signature drive for an emergency parliamentary session, requesting the presence of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Transportation, and the head of the Civil Aviation Organization. Protesters in central Baghdad chanted slogans such as “If you can’t reach Mosul, let them fight us!” and “No, no to the siege!” denouncing the flight ban with the Islamic Republic and condemning government decisions perceived as being influenced by American pressure.
Hadi al-Amiri, Secretary-General of the Badr Organization in Iraq, stated, “We strongly reject and condemn the unjust blockade imposed by the United States against Iran, especially the recent restrictions on air travel.” He further urged the Iraqi government not to comply with this unfair decision, considering it a crucial test of Iraq’s complete and comprehensive sovereignty.
Additionally, Adel Abdul Mahdi commented on his personal page that closing Iraqi airports to Iranian flights is a “great mistake” and a retreat from national sovereignty. He described closing airports to a neighbor, ally, and friend as a significant error that sacrifices national interests and future.
Previously, the Secretary-General of the Nujaba Movement in Iraq had threatened to mobilize Iraqi citizens, Husseini processions, and pilgrims’ servants for a sit-in at Iraqi airports if the issue of flight restrictions between Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran was not resolved.
The Iraqi Prime Minister’s media office issued a statement indicating that negotiations are underway with the United States to exempt certain Iraqi airports from the restrictions imposed on Iranian airlines. The statement noted that reducing these restrictions would enable the resumption of flights to meet humanitarian needs.
