Iran Closes Border to Iraq, Flights Cease Amid Violent Unrest
BAGHDAD (AP) — Iran closed its land borders to Iraq as flights to the nation halted Tuesday amid violence in Baghdad following an influential Shiite cleric’s announcement he would resign from politics.
At least 15 protesters have been killed on account of the unrest erupted Monday.
Iranian state tv cited “unrests” and “curfew” in Iraqi cities for the rationale for the border closures. It urged Iranians keep away from any journey to Iraq whereas urging Iran’s Shiite pilgrims in Iraq to keep away from further journey between cities.
The dedication purchased proper right here as an entire bunch of a whole lot of Iranians have been getting ready to go to Iraq for annual pilgrimage to Shiite websites.
Kuwait inside the meantime has urged its residents in neighboring Iraq to depart the nation. The state-run KUNA data agency furthermore impressed these hoping to journey to Iraq to delay their plans over the eruption of violent freeway clashes between rival Shiite teams all through the nation.
The tiny Gulf Arab sheikhdom of Kuwait shares a 254 kilometer (158 mile)-long border with Iraq.
Dubai’s long-haul provider Emirates stopped flights to Baghdad on Tuesday over the persevering with unrest in Iraq. The provider acknowledged that it was “monitoring the state of affairs intently.”
It didn’t say whether or not or not or not flights would resume for Wednesday.
Protesters loyal to cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who resigned Monday, pulled down the cement boundaries outdoors the federal authorities palace with ropes and breached the palace gates. Many rushed into the lavish salons and marbled halls of the palace, a key assembly place for Iraqi heads of state and worldwide dignitaries.
Iraq’s army launched a nationwide curfew, and the caretaker premier suspended Cabinet programs in response to the violence. Medical officers acknowledged dozens of protesters have been wounded by gunfire and tear gasoline and bodily altercations with riot police.