Dubai carriers suspend flights to Baghdad over unrest

Emirates Airline and flydubai have suspended passenger services to and from Baghdad due to the civil unrest in Iraq.

In an update on their website, Emirates confirmed they have stopped services to Baghdad on August 30 and 31, and to Basra on August 30.

"Customers connecting to Baghdad or Basra will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin," the airline added. 

Affected passengers are advised to contact their local office for rebooking options, or visit the Emirates website to request a refund.

In a statement sent to ARN News, flydubai also confirmed its decision to temporarily suspend flights to the Iraqi city on August 30 and 31.

Both airlines said they are monitoring the situation. 

At least 10 Iraqis were killed on Monday after cleric Moqtada al-Sadr said he would quit politics, prompting his loyalists to storm a palatial government complex in Baghdad and leading to clashes with rival groups

Iraqi security forces have set a nationwide curfew to begin at 1900 local time (1600 GMT) until further notice, they said in a statement late on Monday in response to protests.