US welcomes Iraq’s decision to end flight embargo on Kurdistan airports

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The United States on Thursday welcomed the Iraqi government’s decision to lift the international flight embargo on airports in the Kurdistan Region.

“The negotiations to re-open these airports represent an example of how constructive dialogue can lead to the resolution of disagreements in a peaceful manner,” US Ambassador to Iraq Douglas Silliman said in a statement.

“We encourage both sides to continue talks on outstanding issues until lasting resolutions to all remaining differences can be achieved,” he continued.

Silliman highlighted Washington’s desire to see “a productive and cooperative relationship between both governments [which] benefits the interests of all Iraqi citizens.”

He noted that the consensus between Baghdad and Erbil reflected positively on the political process in Iraq, reiterating the US’ support for “a unified, democratic, federal, and prosperous Iraq, including a strong” Kurdistan Region.

The United Kingdom and France have also commended the Iraqi government’s decision to lift the flight embargo, highlighting the progress made in solving issues between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

On Tuesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced that international flights would be allowed to resume at airports in Erbil and Sulaimani Province after a nearly six-month embargo.

The flight ban was imposed on the Kurdistan Region on Sep. 29, a few days after the historic independence referendum which saw an overwhelming majority vote for secession from Iraq.

Baghdad refused to recognize the results of the plebiscite and instead responded by enforcing collective punitive measures against the KRG, including the flight ban and use of military force to take over Kirkuk and other disputed territories.