Uzbekistan orders evacuation of citizens from Gulf states amid Israel-Iran tension

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev instructed Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov to ensure the return of Uzbek citizens currently in the Gulf states, the prime minister’s press secretary, Bekzod Khidiyatov, told a local outlet.

The directive was issued on March 2 during a video conference meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers.

The country’s airlines were instructed to take measures to evacuate Uzbek citizens, including organising repatriation flights on the Jeddah–Tashkent route.

In addition, heads of relevant ministries and agencies were tasked with analysing the implementation of existing agreements with the Gulf states.

Government bodies were also instructed to consider alternative routes for export and import operations. This is necessary to reduce risks to foreign trade amid the unstable situation in the region.

By Khagan Isayev