Iraqi Kurdistan’s not so friendly skies opening again soon
Baghdad to formally take charge of Kurdistan Region airports and borders; shift in Syria strategy by Moscow may follow Russian presidential election; Jordan’s king and Turkish president find common ground.
Abadi closes deal on airports
Baghdad and Erbil will soon announce final agreement over control of airports and borders, which, as expected, will revert to the central government.
On March 6, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said, “Inshallah, we will pay the region’s salaries and reopen the airports before Nowruz [Persian New Year on March 21].”
The pending agreement will place security of the Erbil and Sulaimaniyah airports with Iraq’s Ministry of Interior and National Intelligence Services. The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority would continue its management of the airport, probably with some engagement of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) officials.
