Azerbaijan evacuates hundreds of citizens from Middle East amid rising tensions

Amid escalating military tensions in the Middle East, Azerbaijan has successfully evacuated hundreds of its citizens from the region.

Speaking to local media, Aykhan Hajizada, Head of the Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, “From the very first day of the military escalation, our embassies and consulates in the region have been operating in an enhanced mode, taking all necessary measures to assist our citizens.”

He confirmed that, so far, “except for one individual, none of our citizens have been injured.”

Today, a special Azerbaijan Airlines flight evacuated 193 Azerbaijani citizens, along with 9 Georgian citizens and 5 Russian citizens of Azerbaijani origin, from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. “The return of our citizens from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on regular flights to Azerbaijan is being carried out by the UAE’s respective airlines,” Hajizada added.

Regarding citizens in Qatar, Hajizada explained, “Efforts are underway to evacuate 200 Azerbaijani citizens via Saudi Arabia, as Qatari airspace remains closed.”

For Azerbaijani citizens in Iran, the Ministry has arranged exit routes via the Azerbaijan–Türkiye land border. “So far, 260 citizens have crossed into Azerbaijan,” he said.

Hajizada concluded with a safety advisory: “We urge our citizens in the region to closely monitor the security situation, follow instructions from local authorities, avoid mass gatherings, and strengthen personal safety measures.”