Iraq
An Iraqi Air Force cargo aircraft departs Baghdad for Egypt on January 12, 2026, carrying humanitarian aid bound for Gaza. Photo: Screengrab: Iraqi defense ministry
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A second Iraqi cargo aircraft this week, carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza, departed Baghdad on Wednesday, heading to Egypt’s northeastern Sinai Peninsula, Iraqi officials said.
Saad Maan, head of Iraq’s Security Media Cell, told Rudaw that the aircraft followed the departure of a first aid plane on Monday. He said the shipment is expected to be transferred from the airport in the coastal city of Arish into Gaza via the Rafah border crossing, around 45 kilometers away.
“From Baghdad to the Arab Republic of Egypt (al-Arish), to deliver the Iraqi government's aid to our brothers in Gaza,” Maan said in a post on X.
Tahseen al-Khafaji, media director at Iraq’s defense ministry, said the aid reflects popular solidarity with Gaza, adding that “this flight is the second for our people in Gaza.”
On Monday, the Iraqi Air Force launched its first relief flight of the year aboard a C-130 aircraft, according to a statement from the defense ministry.
The ministry said the mission was carried out “as an embodiment of Iraq's steadfast position in support of the Palestinian cause, and stemming from the humanitarian commitment of the Iraqi government and people.”
It added that “the shipment consisted of 12 tons of aid transported aboard a C-130 aircraft,” and that it would be delivered to Gaza through the Egyptian Red Crescent, in coordination with the Iraqi Red Crescent, “within the framework of joint humanitarian cooperation between the two sides.”
The ministry said the campaign builds on Iraq’s previous humanitarian efforts and “affirms Iraq's consistent role in supporting affected populations and solidifies the values of humanitarian solidarity and moral responsibility toward just causes.”
Iraq has repeatedly voiced political and humanitarian support for Gaza. In May 2025, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani announced at the Arab League summit in Baghdad that Iraq would pledge $20 million for Gaza’s reconstruction and $20 million for Lebanon.
“We have called - and continue to call - for serious and responsible Arab action to save Gaza and reactivate UNRWA’s role in both Gaza and the West Bank,” Sudani said at the time, referring to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.
Israel and Hamas remain under a fragile ceasefire that came into effect in October 2025, easing large-scale fighting but failing to end Gaza’s humanitarian emergency. While the truce has reduced airstrikes and ground operations, tensions persist and daily life has yet to normalize for civilians in the enclave.
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