Kazakhstan Evacuates Hundreds of Citizens from Middle East

Kazakhstan has launched a large-scale operation to evacuate its citizens from several countries in the Middle East. A special headquarters has been established to coordinate the work of diplomats, who are operating around the clock.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that all efforts are being made to ensure the safety of compatriots abroad. To date, there have been no reports of Kazakh citizens being killed or injured in the region.

Priority for evacuation is given to pensioners, children accompanied by parents, pregnant women, minors, and individuals with health limitations.

According to official data, there are currently 47 Kazakh citizens in Iran, 163 in Israel, over 3,000 in Qatar, more than 4,000 in the UAE, and approximately 1,800 in Saudi Arabia. Authorities maintain constant communication with them and provide necessary recommendations based on the evolving situation.

As of today, 946 citizens have already been evacuated from escalation zones. An aircraft carrying 314 people is expected to arrive in Almaty from Muscat shortly. A second flight for another group of about 230 Kazakhs is planned on the same route later. This means over 500 citizens will return home from Oman.

Furthermore, evacuation flights are scheduled today from Jeddah to Atyrau and Jeddah to Aktau, which will bring back 326 people.

Evacuation is also being conducted by land. Diplomatic missions in Tehran, Ashgabat, and Gorgan facilitated the exit of 15 citizens across the Iranian-Turkmen border. They were subsequently assisted in traveling further to Aktau.

Additionally, diplomats in Tehran and Yerevan organized the departure from Iran of the remaining 35 employees of the "Zarkukh" company via bus across the Iranian-Armenian border.

The Foreign Ministry strongly recommends that citizens refrain from traveling to Middle Eastern countries until active hostilities cease and the situation normalizes due to significant airspace restrictions.

Kazakh citizens currently in the region are urged once again to take enhanced personal safety measures: avoid visiting dangerous areas; follow instructions and recommendations from local authorities; and maintain contact with Kazakh embassies and consulates as well as tour operators and airlines.