The German government announced plans to evacuate vulnerable German nationals stranded in the Middle East due to the escalating regional conflict. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that the priority is on children, pregnant women, sick individuals, and other vulnerable groups.
The government is preparing to send chartered civilian aircraft to Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) and Muscat (Oman) to facilitate these evacuations. They are coordinating with airlines like Lufthansa and tour operators to arrange flights and assistance.
This comes amid widespread airspace closures, flight cancellations, and travel disruptions triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran starting around late February/early March 2026, followed by retaliatory actions that have affected multiple countries in the region including the Gulf states, where many tourists are stuck.
Up to 30,000 German tourists, many on package tours, cruises, or in hotels and airports are believed to be impacted and unable to return home via normal commercial routes. The Foreign Ministry (Auswärtiges Amt) has: Issued travel warnings for much of the Middle East.
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Set up crisis support teams in locations like Muscat, Doha, and Dubai. Urged affected citizens to register in the ELEFAND crisis preparedness list for updates and assistance. Emphasized that military evacuation via Bundeswehr would only be a last resort if civilian options fail.
The focus remains on civilian-chartered flights first, with the safety of citizens as the top priority. The escalating US-Israeli conflict with Iran—marked by strikes, retaliatory missile and drone attacks, and widespread airspace closures—has stranded hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals across the Middle East primarily tourists, pilgrims, expats, and business travelers in Gulf states.
Many governments are scrambling to assist their citizens, prioritizing vulnerable groups; children, pregnant women, elderly, sick where possible. Efforts focus on commercial and chartered flights, land routes, or contingency planning, as full military evacuations remain limited or last-resort due to risks and closed airspace. Limited flights resumed from UAE hubs (Dubai/Abu Dhabi) on March 2-3, offering some escape routes.
The State Department urgently advised all US citizens to “depart now” from 13+ countries including Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel/West Bank/Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE, Yemen via any available commercial means due to “serious safety risks.” No large-scale US-organized citizen evacuation is underway (embassies not positioned to assist directly in places like Israel).
Mandatory departure ordered for non-emergency US government personnel and families from Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, and UAE. Sheltering in place advised where flights are unavailable. In United Kingdom — the Foreign Office (FCDO) is actively planning support and evacuation contingencies for an estimated 200,000–300,000 British nationals in the region; many in UAE/Gulf as tourists or expats; over 100,000 registered for updates.
No full evacuation launched yet, but officials are exploring options potentially air and sea from hubs like Muscat or Kuwait if corridors open. Citizens advised to shelter in place, register presence, and monitor for updates. Some reports mention families driving to safer borders.
France is mobilizing extensively for nearly 400,000 French nationals (residents + tourists) across affected countries (largest in Israel ~221,000; UAE ~64,000; others in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, etc.). Crisis teams at 15 diplomatic posts coordinating security, local/land evacuations where feasible, and assistance for vulnerable groups.
Special hotline and registration via “Fil d’Ariane” system active. No military evacuation announced; focus on safe returns via available means. Other European nations — Czech Republic sending planes to Egypt, Jordan, and Oman to repatriate citizens.
Balkan countries planning or starting evacuations; hundreds registered requests. EU Commission coordinating support for member states’ efforts, no joint EU-wide operation yet. Over 58,000 Indonesian pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia; government working on repatriation amid flight halts.
Taiwan reported ~2,364 affected travelers; various nationalities using land borders. Gulf carriers (Etihad, Emirates, FlyDubai) operating limited flights from UAE to help stranded passengers. The situation remains fluid with risks of further closures or escalation. Affected individuals should:Register with their government’s crisis system.
Avoid independent travel to airports and borders unless advised. Prioritize commercial options while available. Check official foreign ministry websites or travel advisories for real-time updates, as conditions change rapidly.