US, Europe ramp up evacuations from Middle East as Iran attacks regional allies

DUBAI, UAE: Countries across US and Europe are scaling up evacuation operations to bring their citizens home from the Middle East as the war involving Iran expands and security risks grow across the region.

Repatriation flights from regional hubs are already underway, with governments scrambling to move thousands of people out amid fears of further escalation.

The European Commission said at least six flights supported by the bloc have departed the region since Wednesday, March 4, returning European citizens to Bulgaria, Italy, Austria and Slovakia. Additional evacuation flights are expected in the coming days.

“In response to the recent developments in the region, the Commission is taking every possible step to ensure the safety of EU citizens by supporting Member States in coordinating repatriation flights from the Middle East,” the Commission said in a statement.

US steps up flights for Americans

The United States is also expanding evacuation operations. The US State Department said late Wednesday, March 3, that more than 17,500 American citizens have already returned from the Middle East since February 28.

Officials said additional flights would be arranged “across the region” to bring home more Americans.

“I can say charter flights are underway but for operational reasons, we’re limited by what we can say in terms of specifics,” Tommy Pigott, principal deputy spokesperson for the State Department, told CNN.

Other European countries, including France, Germany and the Czech Republic have begun arranging evacuation flights from major regional hubs such as Dubai and Jeddah.

The United Kingdom said technical issues delayed its first charter flight departing from Muscat, the capital of Oman, since the conflict began.

Officials said the aircraft was expected to take off shortly and that further flights would follow in the coming days.

Iranian drone attacks complicate evacuations

Evacuation efforts are being complicated by large-scale Iranian drone and missile attacks across the Gulf.

Hundreds of drones launched by Iran have forced temporary airspace closures and created significant challenges for civilian flights.

Regional officials believe Iran may be deliberately targeting Arab states to pressure them into pushing the Trump administration to halt the war.

Despite the heightened conflict, US officials say military resources remain sufficient. Speaking at the Pentagon, Gen Dan Caine said the US military still had enough “precision munitions for the task at hand, both on the offense and defense.”

UAE intercepts six missiles and 125 drones on Thursday 

Meanwhile, Gulf countries continue to face direct attacks.

The United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Defense said its air defenses intercepted six ballistic missiles and 125 drones on Thursday, March 5, alone.

One missile landed inside the country’s territory.

In total, the UAE detected seven ballistic missiles and 131 drones targeting the country during the day. 

Authorities in Abu Dhabi said six people were injured by falling debris from intercepted drones earlier Thursday. Officials said the injuries were not considered serious.