Chad relocates Sudan refugees as army deploys near border

By Mahamat Ramadane Reuters Chad has begun the emergency relocation of refugees from its border with Sudan as the ‌army prepares to deploy to the area in response to ‌cross-border attacks, an official from the country’s refugee agency told Reuters on Monday. President Mahamat Idriss ​Deby last week ordered the army to prepare to retaliate after a cross-border drone attack from Sudan killed 17 people in Chad including mourners attending a funeral service. A separate government statement last week said Chad had strengthened its ‌security presence at the ⁠border and could potentially carry out operations on Sudanese territory. Initial refugee relocation operations will involve around 2,300 people, more ⁠than half of them women and children, said Saleh Tebir Souleymane, the representative in the border town of Tine for Chad’s National Commission for the ​Reception and ​Reintegration of Refugees and Returnees. They began ​moving people further into Chad, ‌away from the frontier, on Sat...

Iraq welcomes first European flight to Baghdad in 35 years

A flight operated by Greece’s Aegean Airlines touched down in Baghdad on Tuesday, the first European passenger plane to land in the Iraqi capital in 35 years.

The milestone marks Iraq’s return “as a safe and reliable aviation hub after years of challenges”, the Transport Ministry said.

The government plans to further “develop the civil aviation sector, enhance openness to the world, and position Iraqi airspace as a bridge for global connectivity,” the statement added.

Aegean Airlines plans to initially operate two flights per week between Athens and Baghdad.

The number of connections could increase depending on demand.

Oman Air also intends to offer flights from Baghdad to destinations in Europe in the future.

Following the invasion of neighbouring Kuwait in 1990, the UN Security Council imposed an economic embargo and comprehensive sanctions against Iraq.

This led to a near-complete halt of international flights to the country.

With the overthrow of dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003, many sanctions were lifted, and the country gradually reconnected to international air traffic.

With the overthrow of dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003, many sanctions were lifted, and the country gradually reconnected to international air traffic.

SOURCE: DPA AND AGENCIES



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