European Countries Launch First Evacuation Flights From Middle East

MADRID, March 4 (Bernama-dpa) -- Several countries are organising the first evacuation flights for their citizens following the escalation of war in the Middle East, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said on Tuesday that 175 Spaniards have taken off from Abu Dhabi on a scheduled flight and are on their way to Madrid.

The repatriation operations were triggered by the bombing of Iran by the United States (US) and Israel, which has been ongoing since Saturday.

Tehran responded to the strikes by launching attacks on Israel and the Gulf states.

Commercial aviation is largely at a standstill in much of the region.

According to estimates by the authorities in Madrid, around 30,000 Spaniards are currently in the conflict region.

Further flights are planned to speed up departures, especially from the United Arab Emirates, said Albares. Around 13,000 Spaniards were living there.

He described Iran as the "most difficult situation", with just over 150 Spanish citizens still in the country. 

The British government is also organising a charter flight to depart from Muscat in Oman in the coming days, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced in Parliament.

She said 130,000 Britons in the Middle East had already registered with the Foreign Office by Tuesday morning.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that his country was also preparing an evacuation operation for Polish citizens in the region.

He had given instructions that flights on government aircraft would be cancelled so that the planes would be ready if the opportunity arose, Tusk explained.

He said there are currently around 14,000 Poles in the United Arab Emirates.

--BERNAMA-dpa