Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is conducting large-scale planning and execution of evacuation measures to return its citizens from the Middle East, particularly in light of ongoing airspace restrictions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has issued an official statement regarding the repatriation efforts. Following instructions given to Azerbaijan's diplomatic missions in the Gulf region, a comprehensive registration process was initiated. Preliminary data indicates that approximately 1,000 Azerbaijani citizens across five countries applied for evacuation, including 490 from the United Arab Emirates, 220 from Saudi Arabia, 200 from Qatar, 23 from Bahrain, and 26 from Kuwait.
In the UAE, a primary tourism and business hub for Azerbaijanis, the Consulate General in Dubai coordinated with FlyDubai to resume flights to Baku as soon as local airspace restrictions were partially lifted. Between March 3 and March 5, a total of 755 Azerbaijani citizens returned home via these scheduled routes. Additionally, special evacuation efforts were focused on Saudi Arabia. On March 4, a special Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) flight from Jeddah repatriated 193 Azerbaijani citizens, along with 9 Georgian and 5 Russian citizens of Azerbaijani descent. Further coordination by diplomatic missions allowed citizens registered in Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia to be transported by bus to Jeddah, where an AZAL flight on March 7, 2026, brought another 203 individuals back to Azerbaijan.
The MFA also noted that the Operative Headquarters under the Cabinet of Ministers has facilitated the land-based return of citizens from Iran. To date, 300 Azerbaijani citizens have crossed the land border into Azerbaijan following official directives to relevant state agencies. These evacuation efforts highlight Azerbaijan's commitment to the safety of its diaspora and citizens abroad during regional disruptions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to monitor the situation in the Middle East closely, maintaining constant communication with diplomatic outposts to ensure the timely assistance of all remaining nationals in the region.
