Iraq sets up humanitarian ‘air bridge’ to Turkey, Syria
A bulldozer loading a plane with relief aid. Photo: Sputnik
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq announced on Monday the establishment of an air bridge to both Syria and Turkey, to send urgent relief aid, including medicine and fuel, according to a statement issued by the Iraqi Prime Minister’s press office.
In accordance with the directives of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, and to provide humanitarian aid to those affected by the earthquake that struck southern Turkey and northern Syria, Iraq established on Monday an air bridge to both Syria and Turkey to send urgent relief aid, the statement mentioned.
The relief aid includes medical supplies, first aid equipment, shelter and relief supplies, and quantities of medicine and fuel, the statement clarified.
This is part of Iraq’s commitment to humanitarian communication with the friendly people of the region, and Iraq’s solidarity with the victims of the disaster, the statement added.
The first Iraqi plane loaded with 70 tons of relief materials arrived on Monday evening in Damascus International Airport to help those affected by the earthquake, and to support relief operations, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.
Another plane carrying humanitarian aid will arrive in Damascus International Airport, SANA mentioned.
An Iranian plane carrying 45 tons of relief aid to help those affected by the earthquake arrived earlier in Damascus, SANA added.
Early Monday, a devastating earthquake measuring a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter scale struck Turkey near the city of Gaziantep, and areas in northern Syria, and was felt by residents in Iraq and Lebanon.
The earthquake hit 26 kilometers east of Nurdagi city of Gaziantep province in south-central Turkey, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The strongest aftershock, measuring 6.7 in magnitude, struck around 32 kilometers (20 miles) northwest of the original earthquake’s epicenter about 11 minutes later, CNN reported.
Thousands of people were killed and thousands were injured in Turkey and Syria, officials from both countries mentioned.
Senior officials in Turkey mentioned that around 150 thousand people are now homeless after thousands of buildings collapsed in southern Turkey and northern Syria, where the earthquake shook cities and towns.