All International Flights Suspended from North Africa Amid Security and Nuclear Concerns
By Pengi West | 21st Jul 2025 | 3:49 PM
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Governments across North Africa have announced a complete suspension of all international flights until further notice, citing escalating jihadist affiliations and national security threats linked to Mali’s uranium exports to Iran.
Scope of the Suspension
Authorities in countries across North Africa have imposed a blanket halt on international commercial flights. This decision is being attributed to two primary security threats:
1. Cross-border coordination with jihadist organizations, including ties to Hamas and regional affiliates of Al‑Qaida such as JNIM, which have intensified violent activities in Mali and other Sahel states.  
2. Allegations that Mali has been supplying uranium to Iran, raising fears of nuclear proliferation and prompting heightened international scrutiny.   
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Underlying Regional Instability
• Jihadist Threat: The Al‑Qaida–linked group JNIM continues to launch deadly attacks on Malian army bases and cities like Timbuktu. A recent assault in Timbuktu involved explosive devices and resulted in ongoing clashes. 
• Geopolitical Alliances: Mali and neighboring Sahel states have increasingly aligned with Russia and Iran, leveraging their natural resource exports—including uranium and gold—for diplomatic support and sanctions evasion. 
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Aviation Fallout
• Precedent Airspace Closures: Previously, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso had partially or fully closed their airspace amid coups and security crises, disrupting commercial routes and rerouting flights across vast detours. 
• Widespread Disruptions: Commercial airlines—such as Air France, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, and Turkish Airlines—had already suspended flights to Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso in mid‑2023 and beyond, citing safety concerns. 
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What This Means for Travelers
• Stranded Passengers: International passengers attempting to depart from North African capitals may face indefinite delays or complete travel bans without clear timelines.
• Rerouted Journeys: Flights that have not been outright canceled may be diverted via lengthy alternative routes, increasing the potential for delays, cancellations, and even in‑flight refueling diversions.
• Costs and Charges: Airlines are likely to pass on additional fuel and insurance expenses to customers, potentially driving up ticket prices. 
