Iraq to search Syria-bound Iranian aircraft

Baghdad: An Iraqi government official says authorities will conduct random searches of Syria-bound Iranian aircraft on suspicion that they might be carrying weapons to the war-torn nation.

Iran is an ally of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, whose military has battled opposition forces during an 18-month-old uprising that has become a civil war.

Iraqi spokesman Ali Al Mousawi said that Baghdad has informed Iranian authorities that Iraq will be inspecting Iranian planes flying to Syria.

US officials have accused Baghdad of allowing Iran to fly weapons to Al Assad’s forces through Iraqi airspace. Iraq denies the claims.

On Friday, Iraq prevented a North Korean plane from entering its airspace on suspicion it was carrying weapons to Syria.

North Korea is a long-time Al Assad ally.