Cairo, August 8, 2024: The Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed the country’s airlines to avoid Iranian airspace for three hours on Thursday morning due to a planned military exercise in Iran. The restriction will be in place from 0100 to 0400 GMT and aims to enhance aviation safety.
This directive comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Recently, Hamas Politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran and Hezbollah senior military commander Fouad Shokor was killed in Beirut. While Israel has claimed responsibility for Shokor’s assassination, it has not commented on Haniyeh’s death, which both Hamas and Iran have blamed on Israel.
These incidents have further strained relations in the region. In mid-April, Iran retaliated for an attack on its consulate in Syria, which resulted in the deaths of seven Iranians, including two military commanders. In response, Iran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones at Israel. Israel reported intercepting the majority of these missiles and drones.
The current directive by Egypt underscores the volatility in the region and the potential risks to aviation safety. Airlines are advised to adhere to the instructions to ensure the safety of their flights during the specified period.
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