STANDARDDIPLOMATICVERIFIED
US State Dept authorises evacuation of non-emergency personnel from Gulf embassies
·Gulf region (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait)
The State Department authorised departure of non-emergency government personnel from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf posts after Iranian drone strikes hit US diplomatic compounds.
The US State Department announced authorisation for non-emergency government personnel to evacuate from Gulf embassies and consulates. The move came after Iranian drones struck the US consulate in Dubai, the US embassy compound in Kuwait (subsequently closed indefinitely), and targeted the US embassy in Saudi Arabia. The State Department also announced facilitation of charter flights from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, saying 9,000 Americans had already left the region on their own. Trump had previously told Americans to leave more than a dozen countries from Egypt to Iraq 'on their own.' Millions of foreign nationals — mostly low-wage workers from South Asia and the Philippines — live in Gulf states with far fewer evacuation options.
evacuationstate-departmentgulfdiplomatscivilians
Actor responses
State Dept: Authorised non-emergency departures. Facilitating charter flights from UAE, Saudi, Jordan. 9,000 Americans already left.
Sources
T1US State Department95% reliability
Related signals (2)
Voice of America@@VOANewsSTANDARD
9,000 Americans have left the Middle East on their own since the war began, State Department says. Charter flights now being arranged from UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.
PHAROS NOTE9,000 self-evacuated but unknown how many Americans remain. The late pivot to charter flights suggests initial 'leave on your own' guidance drew criticism.
Reuters@@ReutersHIGH
France says some 400,000 of its nationals are in the Middle East. European countries and India rushing to establish escape routes including emergency flights. Millions of migrant workers have no evacuation options.
PHAROS NOTE400,000 French nationals alone — total Western nationals in Gulf states likely exceeds 1 million. South Asian/Filipino migrant workers (millions) have far fewer evacuation options.