Now it's Iraqi authorities vs mercenaries

From the Guardian (via Juan Cole):

Iraqi troops were ordered to reopen Baghdad airport yesterday after a British security company halted commercial flights in a pay dispute, cutting one of the country's few outside links.

The government threatened a showdown with Global Strategies Group, saying the London-based firm overstepped its powers when private guards shut the airport at dawn."

My forces have entered the airport," the acting transport minister, Esmat Amer, told Reuters. "We are taking some technical measures now and will soon resume the flights, maybe in the next few hours. We will not let the airport be closed in any way. It is a matter of sovereignty for us."

Alaa Abdul Ghani, the airport's flight control chief, said the national carrier Iraqi Airways would fly but passengers were left guessing whether flights would resume.

Global did not confirm whether the government had seized control and it was unclear who was in charge.