Special to WorldTribune.com

BAGHDAD — Islamic State of Iraq and Levant, stuck on the ground in much of the north, has begun firing at civilian aircraft around the Iraqi capital.

Iraqi sources said ISIL fighters were firing at civilian aircraft around Baghdad International Airport, Middle East Newsline reported. The sources cited ISIL ground fire toward at least two foreign aircraft in as many days.

“We know that the airport is a strategic target of the terrorists,” a source said.

The sources said ISIL advanced to the outskirts of the airport. They said ISIL operatives were constantly testing security at the airport, used by the U.S. military.

So far, several regional airlines have canceled flights to Baghdad. The latest carrier was Middle East Airlines, which on Jan. 27 said it canceled four flights to Baghdad while maintaining service to other Iraqi cities.

“Middle East Airlines-Air Liban announces the suspension of today’s — Jan. 27, 2015 — flight from and to Baghdad International Airport due to the current situation at Baghdad airport,” MEA, based in Beirut, said.

On Jan. 26, an MEA flight from the United Arab Emirates came under light arms fire as it landed in Baghdad. Hours earlier, the UAE’s FlyDubai said it was struck by light arms fire and canceled a flight on Jan. 27. At least two passengers were said to have been injured.

Two other UAE airlines have suspended flights to Iraq. They were identified as the Dubai-based Emirates and Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways, which said the suspension was indefinite.

“We will continue to work closely with the authorities and monitor the security situation before recommencing scheduled services to Baghdad,” Etihad said.

  fires at civilian airliners, ISIL advances on Baghdad airport, WorldTribune.com