BAGHDAD: The Iraqi government declared that it stopped all air travel to Damascus, denying the reports of sending tourist groups due to the deterioration of security affairs in Syria.
Iraqi Transport Ministry disclosed that the halt was "to prevent the departure of Iraqi militias to Syria", thus "rejecting any foreign intervention in Syrian affairs".
Iraqi Airways announced that it had no flights to Damascus since last February.
On the other hand, Iraqi Ministry of Tourism denied reports on sending tourists to Syria.
Some Iraqi cities officially bade farewell to Iraqi fighters who were killed in Syria, under the pretext of defending Shiite Holy Shrines.
Transport Minister Hadi al-Ameri stated, earlier, to Reuters that "thousands of Iraqi Shiite will bear arms to fight Qaeda monsters in Syria if Shiite Holy Shrines were attacked".
Asa'ib Ahl-Al-Haq militia acknowledged sending its fighters to Syria, while the Sadrist Trend denied sending any one.
Iraqi Hezbollah spokesman Wathiq al-Batat stated, earlier to Al-Sharq al-Awsat daily that he is "ready to send his fighters to defend the Holy Shrines, not the Syrian regime".
© Aswat Aliraq 2013
