Lebanon’s MEA halts flights to Iraq’s Kurdish region

By Ali Abo Rezeg

ANKARA (AA) - Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines (MEA) has halted flights to and from northern Iraq’s Kurdish region as of Friday, according to a MEA source.

The move comes amid tension between Baghdad and the Kurdish region over Erbil’s decision to hold an illegitimate referendum on independence from Iraq.

The decision “is linked to the new developments in the region following the referendum,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was unauthorized to speak to media.

MEA’s decision came one day after Baghdad has given the Kurdish region until Friday to hand over its two airports or face a shutdown of international flights.

On Wednesday, Iraq’s Civil Aviation Authority requested foreign airlines suspend flights to the KRG-held areas by Friday.

The referendum, held on Monday, had faced international opposition amid warning that the vote could distract from the ongoing war against Daesh and could cause regional unrest.