Countries launch evacuation flights across Middle East to repatriate stranded citizens

Governments around the world are stepping up efforts to repatriate citizens stranded in the Middle East, with evacuation flights and other emergency transport measures now underway across the region.

Several countries have arranged charter flights and other assistance as part of coordinated efforts to bring nationals home safely, Caliber.Az reports via CNN. 

In Australia, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said four evacuation flights had already departed the region, with another four scheduled within the next 24 hours.

The United Kingdom has also begun evacuations. The country’s first charter flight from Oman landed on the morning of March 6 after a 24-hour delay. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said more than 4,000 people have already returned to Britain on commercial flights from the United Arab Emirates, with additional charter flights planned in the coming days.

The European Commission said six repatriation flights have so far transported European citizens back to Bulgaria, Italy, Austria, and Slovakia, adding that more flights are expected in the coming days.

In the United States, the first chartered evacuation flight carrying American citizens arrived the afternoon of March 5 at Washington Dulles International Airport near Washington, DC, after departing from Abu Dhabi. A spokesperson for the US Department of State said hundreds of Americans were on board, with additional flights planned.

The US Embassy in Israel has also introduced ground evacuation options. Officials said bus services are being offered for American citizens wishing to leave Israel, departing from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and heading to the Taba Border Crossing on the border with Egypt.

Meanwhile, New Zealand has deployed two aircraft from the New Zealand Defence Force to the region to potentially support evacuation operations.

“It will take some days for arrangements to be put in place, and we cannot guarantee we will be able to provide assisted departures in all locations,” a government statement issued March 5 said.

By Sabina Mammadli