Saudi Arabia has announced it will suspend its state-carrier, Saudi Airlines, flights into Canada’s airports after a diplomatic row between the nations has caused geopolitical reverberations.
The state-owned airline will suspend operations into Canada following the Middle Eastern country announcing it will halt trade between the two countries.
Tensions between the two nations were established when part of the Canadian government criticized Saudi Arabia’s treatment of three female Saudi journalists and activists.
Canada’s Global Affairs ministry tweeted: “Canada is gravely concerned about additional arrests of civil society and women’s rights activists in Saudi Arabia, including Samar Badawi.”
“We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful human rights activists.’’
The Kingdom responded by suggesting Canada should not interfere with its affairs and it objected to the use of the language against the country.
Saudi stated it should not have to be dictated by the values of Canada’s foreign policy.
Flights between the Kingdom and Toronto’s Pearson Airport have been halted.
