Iraq extends airspace closure for ninth time through Wednesday

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Civil Aviation Authority extended the closure of the country’s airspace for another 72 hours Sunday, through noon Wednesday, marking the ninth consecutive extension since the regional war began Feb. 28.

The authority described the decision as a “temporary precautionary measure” based on “the ongoing assessment of the security situation and regional developments.”

Iraq first closed its airspace Feb. 28 following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent missile and drone launches across the region. The closure has been extended continuously since — first for 24 hours on March 1, then 48 hours on March 2, followed by 72-hour extensions on March 4, 7, 10, 13, 16 and 19.