Peregraf- Sulaymaniyah Airport’s media office, in a press release, said that Turkey has extended its ban on flights to and from the airport for another three months, keeping the restriction in place until January 6, 2026.
The ban was first imposed on April 3, 2023, citing security concerns linked to alleged activities by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in the region. Initially set for three months, the restriction has been repeatedly extended and remains in effect more than two years later.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry previously stated that the continuation of the ban is necessary due to increased PKK activity in Sulaymaniyah, including alleged infiltration of the airport, which it said poses a threat to aviation security. "PKK activities in Sulaymaniyah have increased and infiltrated the airport, which threatens aviation security," the ministry said.
Officials in Sulaymaniyah strongly reject Turkey’s claims, emphasizing that the airport is a civilian facility and that there is no evidence supporting the Turkish justification for the ban.