An Iraqi woman is assisted through an airport corridor after returning to the country as part of evacuation flights for citizens stranded abroad, March 2026.
Iraq completes eighth evacuation flight as airlift of stranded citizens continues
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Foreign Ministry announced Saturday the successful completion of its eighth consecutive evacuation operation to return citizens stranded abroad, as part of an ongoing airlift coordinated with Iraqi Airways and multiple government agencies.
The ministry said eight consecutive flights had returned a large number of citizens, with operations covering several countries including India and Egypt, and routing through Saudi Arabia’s Arar border crossing. It credited close coordination with Iraqi diplomatic missions — particularly the embassy in Riyadh — as well as the ministries of transport, interior and oil, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Border Ports Authority.
The repatriation effort began earlier this month after Iraq suspended civilian flights and closed its airspace following the outbreak of regional hostilities Feb. 28, leaving large numbers of Iraqis stranded overseas. The first group returned via the Arar crossing from Egypt. Subsequent operations have prioritized medical cases and coordinated transit through neighboring countries.
Iraq’s airspace has been closed for more than three weeks, with the Civil Aviation Authority extending the suspension eight consecutive times. The latest extension runs through noon Sunday, with no indication of when commercial flights will resume.