Switzerland refuses US overflights linked to Middle East war
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A Swiss flag outside Switzerland's Parliament building in Bern.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Switzerland refused two US requests for overflights related to the "US-Israeli war with Iran," citing its neutrality laws and international obligations.
- Permitted flights include those for humanitarian or medical purposes, as well as flights unrelated to the Middle East conflict.
- The Swiss government approved a maintenance flight and two transport aircraft requests on March 14 but denied reconnaissance flights on March 15.
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GENEVA - Switzerland said on March 14 it had refused two US requests to fly over its territory in operations linked to the current Middle East war, citing its neutrality under international law.
“In total, two requests linked to the war in Iran were refused, while a maintenance flight and two requests for transport aircraft were approved” on March 14, the government said in a statement.
US President Donald Trump fiercely criticised Britain at the start of the war for hesitating to let US forces use its bases, and later threatened Spain with trade measures for refusing to do so.
The two Swiss flight refusals concerned reconnaissance flights on March 15, the government said.
“The law of neutrality prohibits overflights by parties to a conflict for military purposes related to that conflict,” it said, citing the US-Israeli war with Iran.
Flights for humanitarian or medical purposes, including the transport of wounded people and flights unrelated to the conflict remain permitted, it said.
Switzerland has been officially recognised as a neutral country by the international community since 1815. AFP
