SA begins to facilitate the evacuation of citizens stranded in the Middle East

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) on Thursday began the process of facilitating the evacuation of South African citizens stranded in the Middle East amid fears that the conflict in the region could intensify in the coming days. The department warned that the security situation remains volatile and could deteriorate further. “We urge all citizens to note that several airlines have resumed limited commercial flights out of the region.

Citizens are strongly encouraged to take immediate advantage of this opportunity to leave as heavy attacks are regrettably expected to continue in the coming days,” the department said. The department also issued a strong warning to South Africans who may be considering travelling to the Middle East, advising against all non-essential travel to the region until the situation stabilises. “Furthermore, South Africans are strongly discouraged from all non-essential travel to the region at this time,” the department added.

The alert forms part of a broader effort by DIRCO to ensure the safety of South African nationals abroad as tensions escalate and military activity intensifies across parts of the Middle East. The department said citizens requiring assistance or seeking further clarity on evacuation arrangements should contact the nearest South African embassy or consulate. Officials indicated that embassies in affected countries have been placed on heightened alert and are closely monitoring developments.

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Diplomatic missions have also been tasked with assisting citizens who may require logistical support or guidance on available exit routes. While the exact number of South Africans currently in the Middle East remains unclear, Dirco revealed that as of Wednesday approximately 6 400 citizens had registered their presence in the region on the department’s Travel Smart system — an online platform that allows South Africans travelling abroad to inform the government of their location in case of emergencies.

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