DOHA (Kashmir English): Qatar has announced a series of new adjustments, including temporary adjustments in flights amid the rising tensions in the Middle East.
The measures are being introduced amidst increasing military strikes in Lebanon, involving both Israel and Iran-aligned forces, amid mounting tensions in the Middle East.
The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority issued a NOTAM on Sunday establishing temporary alternative flight paths for aircraft taking off from the nation’s capital as well as for flights leaving from airports in Saudi Arabia.
The directive, which will be effective from June 7 to June 14, will be enforced “due to ongoing security tension in the region,” according to a report cited by Russia Today.
The latest developments come following increased Israeli strikes targeting the south of Beirut, the first since last week’s United States-brokered ceasefire, which claimed the lives of two civilians and injured another 17 after airstrikes hit residential apartments within a Hezbollah stronghold, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency.
With over 3,560 civilian deaths registered in Lebanon since increased military action between the two nations following Hezbollah’s attack on March 2 to aid Iran, Israeli military operations have continued in the south of Lebanon.
Additionally, the BBC has reported the claim of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his country had conducted strikes against a ‘terrorist HQ’ in Dahieh, Beirut, claiming the strikes were in response to Hezbollah rockets targeting the north of Israel.
Iran, Iraq, and Syria Close Airspace
Moreover, Iran, Iraq, and Syria closed their airspace with emergency aviation bans amid fears over spiraling military tensions.
Reports from the world’s news outlets state Iran has shut its western airspace without warning or duration, while neighboring Iraq has also announced a temporary closure of its airspace as a preventative measure.
Damascus is meanwhile closing its southern airspace for 12 hours and suspending its main air travel hub after citing a dangerous turn in the regional conflict.
In occupied East Jerusalem, a stark emergency directive has been issued to U.S. Embassy personnel and their families, urging them to “seek shelter in secure locations.”
These latest steps come following a fresh outbreak of conflict between Israel and Iran. After warnings from the U.S. and calls from ex-president Donald Trump for restraint, Israel carried out strikes in Iran in retaliation for previous attacks by Tehran.
The Islamic Republic has confirmed through its media outlets that a string of explosions in Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, and close to Karaj fueling concerns over where else the war might spread within Iran’s borders.
Israel’s military said its strikes targeted western and central Iranian military installations, following Iranian attacks.
