Category: Anadolu Agency

Iraq extends airspace closure 48 hours; Jordan announces partial shutdown

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ISTANBUL

Iraq has extended the closure of its airspace for 48 hours, while Jordan announced a partial daily shutdown, civil aviation authorities in both countries said Monday, citing escalating regional tensions.

Iraq’s Civil Aviation Authority said it would keep the country’s airspace closed to all arriving, departing and overflying aircraft for an additional 48 hours starting at 12 pm local time (0900GMT) Monday as a “temporary and precautionary measure.”

The authority said in a statement carried by the state news agency INA that the decision followed “an ongoing assessment of the security situation and a comprehensive review of developments and regional tensions.”

Iraq initially closed its airspace Saturday following a US-Israeli offensive against Iran.

Jordan’s Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission also said in a statement it would implement a “partial and temporary” closure of the kingdom’s airspace to all arriving, departing and transit flights “in light of current regional developments and a risk assessment conducted in accordance with international standards.”

The closure will take effect from 6 pm local time (1500 GMT) until 9 am (0600 GMT) the following day and the decision will remain in force until further notice “to ensure the safety and security of civil aviation in Jordanian airspace,” the commission said.

The decisions come as Israel and the United States have conducted a military offensive against Iran since early Saturday, killing at least 550 people, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and top military officials.

Tehran has responded by firing missiles and drones toward Israel and US bases in countries across the region. Some of those attacks have caused casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, prompting condemnation from the Gulf countries, which have called for an end to the attacks.

Washington and Tel Aviv accuse Tehran of pursuing nuclear and missile programs that threaten Israel and US allies in the region. Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful and that it does not seek to produce nuclear weapons. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/iraq-extends-airspace-closure-48-hours-jordan-announces-partial-shutdown/3846682

17 injured in southern Israel by shrapnel from missile launched by Iran

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JERUSALEM

At least 17 Israelis were injured in Beersheba in southern Israel on Monday by shrapnel from a missile launched by Iran amid ongoing regional escalation, Israeli media reported.

Channel 12 said that the injuries ranged from minor to moderate.

Israel’s emergency service MDA said its teams were providing first aid to 15 people wounded by missile shrapnel.

The public broadcaster KAN reported that sirens had sounded in Beersheba and surrounding areas, and that rocket debris had been reported.

According to Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, 12 people have been killed and 834 injured in Iranian attacks in Israel since Saturday, the majority with minor injuries.

The US and Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran on Saturday, killing several top Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In response, Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as regional countries which are home to US assets. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/17-injured-in-southern-israel-by-shrapnel-from-missile-launched-by-iran/3846623

Afghanistan, Pakistan cross-border tensions continue

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 – Pakistani army destroyed ammunition depot in eastern Khost province, Pakistan Television reports, citing security sources

KARACHI, Pakistan

Cross-border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan continued on Monday, with at least three children killed in ongoing fighting in eastern Kunar province, Afghan media reported.

According to Afghanistan’s broadcaster Tolo News, three children were killed, and two were injured when shells allegedly fired by Pakistani military forces struck a refugee camp in the Khass Kunar district.

However, state broadcaster Pakistan Television reported, citing security sources, that Pakistani army forces destroyed an ammunition depot in eastern Khost province as part of their operations against the “Afghan Taliban regime’s aggression.”

There was no official statement from either party regarding the latest developments.

Pakistan has claimed that its “self-defense” measures ensured that no civilians were targeted.

In a related development, Pakistan on Monday ordered the closure of scores of schools located near the border in the North Waziristan, Mohmand, Khyber, and Bajaur districts until further notice as a precautionary measure in light of the prevailing security situation.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Monday claimed 435 Afghan Taliban operatives and suspected militants have been killed and more than 630 injured in airstrikes and clashes since Thursday.

Kabul, for its part, claims 56 Pakistani soldiers were killed in the border clashes.

The veracity of casualty claims by Islamabad and Kabul could not be independently verified.

Chinese envoy meets Pakistan’s top diplomat

Separately, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday received Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong in Islamabad.

“Discussions were held on the evolving regional situation and broader developments,” the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said on the US social media company X.

Dar emphasized the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and continued consultations, while reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability in the region and beyond.

The statement did not mention whether they discussed border tensions with Afghanistan.

Notably, Beijing has said it was engaging Islamabad as well as Kabul to de-escalate the border situation.

​​​​​Death toll at 84

Tensions between the two neighbors have been running high since last Thursday, when Kabul launched “retaliatory operations” along the border after Pakistani airstrikes in late February.

According to a tally of figures from both sides of the border, 84 people have been killed so far.

They include 12 Pakistani soldiers and one civilian, while 13 Afghan soldiers and 58 civilians lost their lives during the clashes. One Pakistani soldier remains missing.

Pakistan in late February launched airstrikes on “terror targets,” killing 70 “terrorists,” while Afghan officials and the UN reported civilian deaths, claims Pakistan denies.

Relations have deteriorated in recent months as Pakistan accuses militants of operating from Afghan territory, an allegation Kabul rejects, even as regional diplomatic contacts continue amid efforts to ease tensions. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/afghanistan-pakistan-cross-border-tensions-continue/3846605

Air raid sirens sound in Israel, Jordan after launch of Iranian missiles

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Air raid sirens sounded Monday in the Jerusalem area and central Israel, including Tel Aviv, as well as in Jordan, after missiles were detected launched from Iran.

In a statement, the Israeli army said it had identified “the recent launch of missiles from Iran toward Israeli territory.”

“Defense systems are working to intercept the threat. In recent minutes, the Home Front Command distributed preemptive instructions directly to mobile phones in the affected areas,” the army added.

Sirens were later heard across central Israel, including the city of Tel Aviv. They also sounded in the Jerusalem area, where explosions from interception were heard.

Israel’s emergency medical service MDA said in a statement that no injuries or material damage had been recorded.

In Jordan, sirens also sounded in tandem with the announcement that Iranian missiles had been detected heading toward Israel.

An Anadolu correspondent reported hearing explosions resulting from air defense interceptions.

This came as the US and Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran on Saturday, killing several top Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In response, Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as regional countries which are home to US assets. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/air-raid-sirens-sound-in-israel-jordan-after-launch-of-iranian-missiles/3846464