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Switzerland has denied the US military flights over Swiss airspace...
Switzerland has rejected two requests for air flights by the US military. The Federal Council is still considering whether the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran qualifies as a war under neutrality law.
Switzerland has denied the US military permission to fly over Swiss airspace. Two such requests have been rejected since the escalation in the Middle East began on February 28.
As the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) confirmed to CH Media, this was for "procedural reasons." The applications would have required extensive clarifications and could not have been approved within the specified deadlines. The decision comes at a time when the Federal Council is still considering how the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran should be legally classified.
-Federal Council reviews neutrality law
President Guy Parmelin explained to the National Council that it is still unclear whether the conflict qualifies as a war under the law of neutrality. Armed conflicts between states would have to reach a certain duration and intensity for this to be the case.
If the Federal Council were to reach this conclusion, it would have clear consequences for Switzerland as a neutral country. Military flights over countries that are directly involved in hostilities would have to be banned in principle. Arms exports to warring countries would also no longer be permitted.
-Authorization required for military flights
Foreign states require a so-called "diplomatic permit" for military flights through Swiss airspace. These applications are examined by the Federal Office of Civil Aviation together with the Directorate of International Law at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and the Swiss Air Force.
Requests with major political implications, for example to support military operations, are submitted to the Federal Council for decision-making. According to FOCA, no such request has been received by the Federal Council since the beginning of the latest escalation in the Middle East.
It is worth noting that before Switzerland, Spain has also refused to allow the US military to use its bases for attacks on Iran. This country clearly shows that President Donald Trump is losing important allies at a very difficult time, which could make him retreat in shame from the war he himself started without asking anyone.
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