CARIO, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Multiple countries in the Middle East closed or restricted their airspace on Saturday, and major airlines globally canceled flights to the region, as a new wave of conflict erupted following a U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran.

Civil authorities of Kuwait, Qatar and Syria temporarily closed or partially closed their airspace as a precautionary measure amid a sharp escalation in regional tensions.

Meanwhile, several major airlines, including EgyptAir, Emirates, Turkish Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines, canceled a number of flights to key regional hubs due to airspace closures.

Globally, carriers such as Air India, British Airways, Japan Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Norwegian Air, Virgin Atlantic and Scandinavian Airlines successively suspended flights to the Middle East.

The disruptions followed the launch of "major combat operations" against Iran by the United States and Israel on Saturday, which plunged the war-torn region into a new round of violent conflict.

In response, Iran targeted U.S. bases across the region and called on countries to close their airspace. ■