Well-informed sources report that the authorities in Erbil International Airport in Iraqi Kurdistan have prohibited the entrance of Syrian nationals holding passports issued by the opposition Syrian National Coalition.
The news comes although, Nazir al-Hakim the current National Coalition’s General Secretary was a key contributing figure in enabling the Coalition to issue passports and passport extensions.
The sources explained that security authorities in Erbil airport have advanced American equipment which enables them to identify which passports are issued by the National Coalition or the Syrian regime. The sources indicated that passengers stopped in the airport with the passports, newly issued or one with an extension sticker, from the Coalition were investigated with, brought before a civilian court on charges of benefiting from forgery, and imprisoned for one month.
In a related context, Ammar Johmani learnt that the al-Assad regime continues to cooperate with Iraqi Kurdistan government regarding the issue of passports. Several passengers who travelled through airports in the region stated that the two sides communicate at the highest level especially after the regime provided Iraqi Kurdistan authorities with the serial numbers of passports issued by the Coalition.
Ammar Johmani warns all Syrian nationals holding passports issued by the Coalition or passports with extensions from the Coalition from traveling to Iraqi Kurdistan as these passport holders are subject to arrest even if they hold a visa to enter the region
