Iraq Amateur Radio Society (IARS) President Diya Sayah, YI1DZ, has informed ARRL that all Amateur Radio activity in Iraq has been suspended until the security situation there improves. He says the suspension affects both Iraqi citizens as well as any foreigners -- including military personnel and contractors -- who have been on the air from Iraq. The request to halt all ham radio activity and the issuance of licenses in Iraq originated with a letter from the Iraqi Ministry of Defense to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki as part of a new security plan, Sayah said. He received subsequent confirmation via the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to shut down ham radio activity, although he allows for a possible misunderstanding on the part of government officials as to the nature and purpose of Amateur Radio.