Kazakhstan Evacuates Over 8,500 Citizens from Middle East Conflict Zone

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, in coordination with other competent state bodies, continues its work to repatriate citizens from the Middle East conflict zone. The government is making every effort to ensure the safety of its compatriots and provide comprehensive support. To date, there have been no reports of Kazakhstani citizens being injured or killed.

Since the evacuation began, more than 8,585 Kazakhstani nationals have been brought home with the assistance of state authorities and both resident and non-resident airlines.

Evacuation flights for the coming days are planned for citizens from Israel (78 people), Qatar (approximately 350 people), the United Arab Emirates (about 550 people), and Saudi Arabia (around 300 people). These figures are subject to change.

In addition to air travel, citizens are also being evacuated via land routes through the borders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkmenistan. A total of 66 citizens have been returned from Iran.

Kazakh diplomatic missions in the region continue to coordinate actions on the ground and maintain constant communication with their compatriots. Citizens are urged to follow official communications from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Kazakhstan's foreign missions in relevant countries. The safe return of citizens remains a state priority.

Travel Advisory for Kazakh Citizens

Due to ongoing hostilities in the Middle East and the closure of airspace in most regional countries, Kazakhstan's MFA strongly recommends that its citizens refrain from all travel to Saudi Arabia until active combat ceases and the situation fully normalizes.

Citizens already in the region are urged to take enhanced personal security measures, avoid potentially dangerous areas, follow instructions from local authorities—including immediately seeking shelter during missile threats—and maintain contact with Kazakh diplomatic missions, tour operators, and airlines.

The ministry noted that despite previous advisories, some individuals continue attempting trips to regional countries. It once again strongly calls on citizens to refrain from planning or undertaking such travel until stability is restored and asks them to widely disseminate this information among relatives and friends.

Referendum Preparations Abroad Adjusted

A Headquarters for Referendum Issues is operational at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Due to escalating military-political tensions in the Middle East and low security levels in Ukraine and Ethiopia, a decision was made to suspend operations at 11 polling stations across 10 countries.

These include embassies in Iran, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, UAE, Oman, Lebanon, Kuwait, Ukraine, Ethiopia; as well as Kazakhstan's Consulate General in Dubai. Consequently, during the referendum period, 71 polling stations will operate across 54 countries abroad.

The total number of registered voters abroad is 14,230. Participation is expected from 336 international observers representing ten international organizations; election commissions from twenty-seven foreign states; as well as diplomats accredited in Kazakhstan. The event will be covered by 185 representatives from sixty-eight foreign media outlets across thirty-one countries.

Türkiye Hosts Informal Meeting of Turkic States' Foreign Ministers

An informal meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Turkic States was held on March 7th under chairmanship by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan with participation from member states Azerbaijan Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan along Secretary-General organization itself attended event where participants exchanged views current regional global issues discussed prospects strengthening political dialogue expanding institutional cooperation promoting joint initiatives aimed deepening integration within Turkic world special attention paid preparing upcoming events within organization strengthening coordination among member states key areas cooperation framework meeting Deputy Minister Alibek Bakayev led Kazakh delegation jointly heads other delegations received President Republic Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan conversation focused further strengthening strategic partnership between two nations developing cooperation within framework Turkic collaboration sides confirmed mutual interest enhancing ties among brotherly Turkic states increasing role world international regional processes outcome meeting adopted joint statement ministers regarding recent events Middle East approved regulations cooperation third parties format organization plus third parties format organization plus third parties format organization plus third parties format organization plus third parties format organization plus third parties format organization plus third parties format organization plus third parties format organization plus third parties format organization plus third parties format organization plus third parties format organization plus third parties format organization plus third parties format organization plus third parties format organization plus third parties

Geneva Session on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems

A Kazakh delegation participated session Group Governmental Experts Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems Geneva March second sixth year session attended representatives one hundred fifty states party Convention Certain Conventional Weapons thirty international organizations expected final document group submitted consideration Review Conference Convention November year