Belgium prepares to evacuate citizens from Middle East

Belgium plans to deploy a military transport aircraft to evacuate some of its citizens stranded in Middle Eastern countries amid the Iran crisis, VRT reports.

Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot noted that the actual start of these flights could take several days due to logistical and security challenges.

“I understand the confusion and impatience of our fellow citizens, but the situation is extremely complex. Our services are doing everything possible,” he emphasised.

According to the minister, around 26,000 Belgians are currently in the region, including 2,500 tourists. The largest numbers are in Qatar and Dubai, where airports are largely inoperative due to the threat of Iranian strikes.

Evacuation priority will be given to tourists, especially families with children, Prévot added. He also urged citizens to seek remaining exit options independently, as it is impossible to evacuate thousands of people in just a few days.

Since the start of US and Israeli military operations against Iran, combat has spread across nearly the entire region, leaving hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals in precarious situations.