ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A second Iraqi cargo aircraft this week, carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza, departed Baghdad on Wednesday, heading to Egypt’s northeastern Sinai Peninsula, Iraqi officials said.
Saad Maan, head of Iraq’s Security Media Cell, told Rudaw that the aircraft followed the departure of a first aid plane on Monday. He said the shipment is expected to be transferred from the airport in the coastal city of Arish into Gaza via the Rafah border crossing, around 45 kilometers away.
“From Baghdad to the Arab Republic of Egypt (al-Arish), to deliver the Iraqi government's aid to our brothers in Gaza,” Maan said in a post on X.
Tahseen al-Khafaji, media director at Iraq’s defense ministry, said the aid reflects popular solidarity with Gaza, adding that “this flight is the second for our people in Gaza.”
On Monday, the Iraqi Air Force launched its first relief flight of the year aboard a C-130 aircraft, according to a statement from the defense ministry.
The ministry said the mission was carried out “as an embodiment of Iraq's steadfast position in support of the Palestinian cause, and stemming from the humanitarian commitment of the Iraqi government and people.”
It added that “the shipment consisted of 12 tons of aid transported aboard a C-130 aircraft,” and that it would be delivered to Gaza through the Egyptian Red Crescent, in coordination with the Iraqi Red Crescent, “within the framework of joint humanitarian cooperation between the two sides.