South Korea evacuates 211 from Middle East VIDEO

The South Korean government, in coordination with the Ministry of National Defence, has successfully completed Operation Desert Shine, ensuring the safe return of 211 people from several countries in the Middle East, officials said.

According to the ministry, the evacuees were transported aboard a KC-330 Air Force aircraft and included 204 South Korean nationals, five family members of foreign nationals and two Japanese citizens. Those evacuated had been located in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Lebanon, Caliber.Az reports.

대한민국은 합니다 #국격

국방부 등 정부는 중동 지역에 체류 중이던 우리 국민의 안전한 귀국을 지원하기 위해 공군 수송기(KC-330)를 투입한 ‘사막의 빛(Operation Desert Shine)’ 작전을 성공적으로 수행했습니다.

이번 작전으로 사우디아라비아, 바레인, 쿠웨이트, 레바논 등 4개국에 체류… pic.twitter.com/ovRZLvOOOx

— 국방부 (@ROK_MND) March 16, 2026

The operation was launched following a review of contingency plans on March 10, conducted on the president’s instructions, with authorities assessing the deployment of military aircraft and finalising an operational strategy. The KC-330 transport aircraft departed South Korea on March 14.

On March 15, evacuees were assembled in Riyadh before boarding the aircraft for the return flight to Seoul. The plane landed safely at Songnam Airport, marking the completion of the mission.

The Ministry of National Defence emphasised that the evacuation proceeded without incident and confirmed that all evacuees arrived safely.

By Sabina Mammadli