Iraq bans N. Korean plane from using its airspace towards Syria, says official

Follow-Up (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi authorities have banned a North Korean plane from flying through Iraqi airspace on suspicion it was carrying weapons for Syria.

The Spokesperson of the Iraqi Government, Ali al-Musawi, confirmed on Friday “The Iraqi authorities banned a North Korean plane from using its airspace. The government rejected the request from Pyongyang to fly a plane to Syria through Iraqi skies, on suspicion it carried weapons to be delivered to the Syrian Regime.”

U.S. officials have accused Baghdad of allowing Iran to fly weapons to Syrian forces through Iraqi airspace, a charge Iraq has denied. North Korea and Iran are allies of Assad whose military is fighting a civil war against rebels trying to topple him.

In remarks published Friday, Assad was adamant that the rebels “will not succeed” and said a foreign military intervention such as the one that helped topple Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi will “not be repeated” in Syria.

Assad’s comments come at a time of bloody stalemate, with neither side able to deliver a knock-out blow.