Emirates Airlines Bans Pagers, Walkie-Talkies After Explosive Attacks on Hezbollah
Emirates Airlines has banned passengers from carrying pagers and walkie-talkies on its flights following a series of deadly attacks last month involving booby-trapped communication devices. The Dubai-based carrier announced on Friday that travelers flying to, from, or through Dubai are prohibited from including pagers or walkie-talkies in either their checked or cabin baggage. Any such items discovered will be confiscated by Dubai Police as part of the airport’s increased security measures.
The ban follows a series of September attacks, in which thousands of Hezbollah’s booby-trapped pagers and radios exploded, killing some 42 people and injuring more than 3,500. These devices were reportedly used by Hezbollah operatives in their ongoing conflict with Israel, which has seen frequent violent clashes. While Hezbollah has continued to launch attacks on Israel and maintain a heavily armed presence in southern Lebanon, in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, Israel has responded with airstrikes targeting the group’s infrastructure, and on Sept. 30 launched what it called a limited ground operation against the Iran-backed armed group in Lebanon.
This holiday season, give to:
Truth and understanding
The Media Line's intrepid correspondents are in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Pakistan providing first-person reporting.
They all said they cover it.
We see it.
We report with just one agenda: the truth.
In response to the rising tensions, Emirates also announced it would continue to suspend flights to Iraq and Iran until Tuesday. However, service to Jordan resumed on Sunday. Flights to Lebanon remain grounded until at least October 15, citing ongoing Israeli attacks against Hezbollah, including strikes near Beirut’s international airport.
Other airlines have also pulled out of Beirut and surrounding areas as the region faces heightened security threats and growing instability.
