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115,000 Australians Stranded in Middle East, Foreign Minister Says
(MENAFN) Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong revealed Monday that an estimated 115,000 Australian nationals remain in the Middle East following widespread flight cancellations triggered by ongoing U.S.-Israeli military strikes against Iran.
Speaking to Australian television, Wong indicated that Canberra is holding off on committing to government-chartered repatriation flights, instead waiting for clarity on when commercial aviation through the region will resume normal operations.
"Given the number of people in the region, people will get home most quickly if we can facilitate people getting on commercial flights at the moment," she said.
In a formal statement issued earlier Monday, Wong announced sweeping travel advisories, urging all Australians to avoid travel to Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen entirely. She separately urged citizens to reconsider any non-essential travel to Jordan, Oman, and Saudi Arabia given the rapidly deteriorating regional security situation.
Australians already present throughout the Middle East have been directed by the government to closely monitor developments and local media, confirm travel arrangements directly with airlines or travel agents, review their travel insurance policies, and follow the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for the latest updates.
Wong confirmed that DFAT has activated its dedicated Crisis Center to deliver frontline consular assistance to affected citizens across the region.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles added that the government has already taken concrete protective measures to safeguard approximately 100 Australian defense force personnel currently stationed throughout the Middle East.
Speaking to Australian television, Wong indicated that Canberra is holding off on committing to government-chartered repatriation flights, instead waiting for clarity on when commercial aviation through the region will resume normal operations.
"Given the number of people in the region, people will get home most quickly if we can facilitate people getting on commercial flights at the moment," she said.
In a formal statement issued earlier Monday, Wong announced sweeping travel advisories, urging all Australians to avoid travel to Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen entirely. She separately urged citizens to reconsider any non-essential travel to Jordan, Oman, and Saudi Arabia given the rapidly deteriorating regional security situation.
Australians already present throughout the Middle East have been directed by the government to closely monitor developments and local media, confirm travel arrangements directly with airlines or travel agents, review their travel insurance policies, and follow the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for the latest updates.
Wong confirmed that DFAT has activated its dedicated Crisis Center to deliver frontline consular assistance to affected citizens across the region.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles added that the government has already taken concrete protective measures to safeguard approximately 100 Australian defense force personnel currently stationed throughout the Middle East.
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