ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The state-owned Iraqi Airways announced late Monday that it had resumed flights to Beirut, hours after suspending them amid escalating tensions between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah. The resumption came after US President Donald Trump said the hostilities had been halted.
“We would like to inform our valued passengers that our direct flights from Iraq to Beirut have resumed, following the completion of operational requirements and the issuance of official approvals from the relevant authorities,” Iraqi Airways said in a statement on its Facebook page.
The national carrier added that passengers whose flights were canceled due to the suspension would be able to travel to the Lebanese capital on Tuesday.
The suspension came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a joint statement on Monday saying they had ordered strikes on Beirut's densely populated southern suburb, widely known as Dahiyeh.
In protest of Israeli military activities, Iran - the main backer of Hezbollah - halted the exchange of messages with the US through mediators, as Washington and Tehran signaled progress toward a final deal on a permanent ceasefire.
After speaking with Netanyahu and Hezbollah "representatives" late Monday, Trump said both sides had agreed to halt hostilities.