Baghdad (IP) - Emirates Airlines declared today, Tuesday, that it canceled flights to Baghdad and Basra due to the unrest in Iraq.

Iran PressMiddle East: Since Monday, Iraq has been witnessing unrest instigated by the proponents of the Sadr Faction in the wake of Muqtada al-Sadr's resignation.

At least 30 people have been killed and hundreds more wounded after deadly violence erupted in Iraq's capital, Baghdad, amid protests by al-Sadr's followers. 

The decision made by Emirati Airlines came as the unrest in Iraq escalated. 

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Before the decision, Emirates Airlines had four flights from Dubai to Baghdad and four flights from Dubai to Basra during the week.

Issuing a statement, the leader of the Sadrist movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, announced his withdrawal from the political arena in Iraq today, Monday.

Following the entrance of Muqtada Sadr's supporters to the Iraqi presidential palace, the Commander of the Iraqi Army Joint Operations announced a curfew in Baghdad from 3:30 p.m. today, Monday local time.

The green zone in Baghdad and some other cities witnessed the escalation of the tensions made by the Sadrists.  

According to an allied legislator, Muqtada al-Sadr is going on a hunger strike until "violence and the use of weapons" ends.

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