Emirates and Etihad Airways have suspended services to Baghdad after an arriving Flydubai Boeing 737-800 reportedly sustained damage after being shot at.

The aircraft is widely reported by local media to have been operating flight FZ215 on 26 January, and cite a statement from the carrier saying it received damage to its fuselage “consistent with small-arms fire”.

Dubai-based Emirates says it is suspending its services to the Iraqi capital until further notice, “due to operational reasons”.

Middle Eastern operator Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, has also declared that it is halting Baghdad flights.

“The safety of our customers and employees is always our first priority,” it says. “We will continue to work closely with the authorities and monitor the situation before recommencing scheduled services to Baghdad.”

Source: Cirium Dashboard