Iraq PM Reopens Mosul Airport 11 Years After ISIS Destruction

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani officially inaugurated Mosul International Airport, marking its reopening after being non-operational for over a decade due to ISIS occupation and destruction. The renovated airport, equipped with a main terminal, VIP lounge, and advanced radar systems, is expected to handle 630,000 passengers annually and will become fully operational for domestic and international flights within two months. The reopening represents a significant step in reconnecting Mosul with other Iraqi cities and regional destinations, with Iraqi Airways set to be the first airline to operate from the airport. This event is part of a broader government strategy, as al-Sudani also launched major infrastructure projects in Nineveh, including a new oil refinery and an expansion of the Qayyarah Combined-Cycle Power Plant, aimed at boosting industrial capacity and energy production. These efforts reflect the government's focus on economic recovery and self-sufficiency following years of conflict, with nearly 40% of Iraq’s crude oil now processed domestically. The airport's restoration and associated projects symbolize resilience and rebuilding in a region heavily impacted by ISIS rule and war.