Foreign Ministry: 1000 Azerbaijanis request urgent evacuation from Gulf states

Amid rising tensions in the Middle East and the closure of Gulf airspace, about a thousand Azerbaijani nationals across five countries have requested evacuation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The government has immediately launched urgent measures to evacuate its citizens from the region, according to the ministry.

Under instructions to Azerbaijani diplomatic missions in Gulf countries, priority lists were drawn up to identify citizens for evacuation. Preliminary results show around 1,000 Azerbaijani nationals in five countries requested evacuation: United Arab Emirates – 490, Saudi Arabia – 220, Qatar – 200, Bahrain – 23, and Kuwait – 26.

Following negotiations between Azerbaijan’s consulate in Dubai and FlyDubai after the partial reopening of the UAE airspace, flights on the Dubai–Baku route resumed. Between March 3 and 5, 755 Azerbaijani citizens returned home. With the UAE airspace now closed again, authorities are planning the return of remaining nationals.

Saudi Arabia became another key evacuation hub. On March 4, a special AZAL flight from Jeddah evacuated 193 Azerbaijani citizens, along with 9 Georgian and 5 Russian nationals of Azerbaijani origin, totalling 207 people. 

Citizens in other Saudi cities, as well as in Qatar and Bahrain, were transported to Jeddah by buses organised by diplomatic missions. On March 7, an AZAL Jeddah–Baku flight carried 203 people, including 2 Russian and 1 Georgian national of Azerbaijani origin.

For Azerbaijani citizens in Iran, the operational headquarters under the Cabinet decided to ensure their return by land. About 300 citizens have already crossed the border and returned home.

The MFA emphasised that Azerbaijan continues to monitor the regional situation closely and is taking all necessary steps to evacuate its citizens.

By Jeyhun Aghazada