News
FAA blocks U.S. planes from flying over Syria
Aug. 20, 2014, Washington, D.C. - The Federal Aviation Administration issued a notice Monday barring flights of U.S. planes over Syria, citing extremist groups equipped with anti-aircraft weapons that could pose a serious threat.
August 20, 2014 By The Associated Press
The latest notice replaces one that strongly advised U.S. flight
operators against flying over Syria and urged them to contact the agency
before flying there.
The FAA said opposition groups in Syria have successfully shot down Syrian military aircraft.
The FAA earlier this month
prohibited U.S. airlines and other commercial carriers from flying over
Iraq as the U.S. launched its first airstrikes there.
Syria's conflict has killed more than
170,000 people since March 2011. The civil war has been intensified by
the rise of the Islamic State group, which controls broad areas of Syria
and Iraq.
