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U.S. Bans Electronics From MENA Flights After Intelligence Uncovers Plans to Hide Bombs in Laptops and Other Devices

Several journalists and writers fear their property will be stolen as a result.

The Trump administration has enacted a new ban on large electronic devices on flights from 10 different Middle Eastern airports. Passengers traveling from those airports to the U.S. will now be required to check all devices larger than a cellphone. The ban will go on indefinitely until security agencies believe there is no longer a threat.

Airports will have 96 hours to implement the guidance, which took effect on Tuesday, reported TIME.

Although the rule is not in reference to a specific threat, the Department of Homeland Security picked up information in which radicals have communicated that they will explore hiding explosives in laptops and electronics, according to Buzzfeed News

After the rule is in place, passengers traveling with a laptop or tablet will have to check at least one bag with these devices. This means that any passengers who were used to only taking a carry-on bag with their electronic devices will have to make new arrangements.

These major airports will be affected by the laptop ban:

·         Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar

·         Dubai International Airport, UAE

·         Abu Dhabi International Airport, UAE

·         Ataturk International Airport, Istanbul, Turkey

·         Queen Alia International Airport, Amman, Jordan

·         Cairo International Airport, Egypt

·         King Abdul Aziz International Airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

·         King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

·         Mohammed V Airport, Casablanca, Morocco

·         Kuwait International Airport, Kuwait

  • Although the rule came from intelligence reports, many are still skeptical of the reasoning

  • Many writers and journalists also fear their belongings will be stolen if checked

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