Azerbaijan has commenced the large-scale evacuation of its citizens from the Middle East due to the escalating military situation in the region. The country's diplomatic missions and consulates-general have transitioned to an enhanced working regime to provide necessary support to Azerbaijani nationals since the onset of the hostilities.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Aykhan Hajizada, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), provided these details while responding to media inquiries regarding the safety and repatriation of Azerbaijani citizens. Hajizada confirmed that, with one exception, no injuries have been reported among Azerbaijani nationals thus far.
Regarding specific evacuation routes, a special flight operated by Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) successfully repatriated 193 Azerbaijani citizens from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The flight also included nine ethnic Azerbaijanis with Georgian citizenship and five with Russian citizenship. Furthermore, regular flights from the United Arab Emirates are facilitating the return of others; 257 citizens returned yesterday, with additional flights scheduled from Dubai today and tomorrow.
Efforts are also underway to evacuate approximately 200 citizens currently in Qatar. Due to the closure of Qatari airspace, the MFA is coordinating their transport through Saudi Arabian territory. Meanwhile, citizens in Iran are being advised to use land borders with Azerbaijan and Türkiye; so far, 260 individuals have crossed into Azerbaijan via these routes.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges all citizens remaining in the region to monitor security updates closely, follow the instructions of local authorities, avoid mass gatherings, and strengthen personal security measures. This evacuation process highlights Azerbaijan's commitment to the safety of its diaspora during international crises, a policy consistently prioritized by the government in Baku to ensure the protection of its subjects abroad during geopolitical instability.
