FLIGHTS to and from Dubai have been cancelled or delayed amid chaos over the spiralling Middle East conflict – with Emirates issuing an important update.
It comes as the world waits for an expected retaliation strike by Israel against Iran following Tehran’s missile blitz on Tuesday.
AFP – GettyMajor airliners like Emirates and flydubai have cancelled flights[/caption]
GettyFlights to and from Dubai have been suspended[/caption]
Major airliners like Emirates and flydubai have cancelled flights from Dubai to the UK, Oman and Kuwait as well as Iraq, Iran and Jordan as fears loom that passenger jets could be caught in the crossfire.
Emirates have warned in a travel update: “Customers transiting through Dubai with final destinations in Iraq, Iran, and Jordan will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until further notice.”
Flights to Lebanon’s capital Beirut have also been affected.
Emirates has extended their suspension on routes to and from the city until Tuesday.
Flydubai has extended theirs until Monday.
Those travelling on these routes are urged to monitor flight statuses and prepare for last-minute changes.
It comes as Israel launched fresh airstrikes near Beirut airport last night as a series of loud explosions were heard in the Lebanese capital.
At least one strike hit outside the perimeter of the international airport and smoke was seen nearby after jets were heard overhead.
It comes hours after Lebanon’s army fired back at Israeli troops for the first time in a major escalation amid fears of an all-out war in the region.
Thousands of civilians have already fled the country’s south as the showdown between Hezbollah and Israel intensifies.
Israel warned people to evacuate 25 more areas of Lebanon – signalling its ground invasion to demolish Hezbollah’s war machine is about to expand.
Today, the Lebanese army confirmed it had been drawn into the bloody showdown between Hezbollah and Israel for the first time – almost a year into the conflict.
Soldiers fired back at Israeli forces after one of its troops was killed in an Israeli strike on a military post.
The Lebanese army said: “A soldier was killed after the Israeli enemy targeted an army post in the Bint Jbeil area – in the south, and the personnel at the post responded to the sources of fire.”
Experts have warned casualties among Lebanese forces, rather than Hezbollah, could mark a huge escalation.
So far, ground clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants have been confined to a narrow strip along the border.
But Israel has now expanded its no-go zone and told citizens to urgently leave 25 areas – including a major city.
Nabatieh is one of the largest cities in southern Lebanon and is above the UN-declared buffer zone.
t means Israel is likely gearing up to widen its ground operation against Hezbollah and even advance further into the country.
Other communities north of the Litani River have also been told to evacuate.
The river formed the northern edge of the border zone established by the UN Security Council after the 2006 war in a resolution that both sides accuse the other of violating
Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman, said: “Hezbollah’s activity forces the IDF to act against it. The IDF does not wish to harm you.
“For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately. Anyone who is near Hezbollah operatives, their facilities or their weapons, puts themselves at risk.”
He warned any house used by Hezbollah for military purposes will be a target.
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