By : Ulrich Steinkohl and Jörg Blank, dpa | Place : Berlin | Date : March 3 | Time 13:4
The German government is preparing to evacuate vulnerable nationals stranded by the escalating Middle East conflict. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced on Monday that the mission prioritizes children, the sick, and pregnant women. Therefore, officials are mobilizing resources to ensure the safety of those most at risk.
Aircraft will deploy to the Saudi capital of Riyadh and Muscat in Oman. Wadephul confirmed these locations will serve as primary extraction points for the German government’s Middle East evacuation 2026. This strategic move follows the sudden outbreak of regional hostilities that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Regional Conflict Impacts Thousands of Tourists
Approximately 30,000 tourists from German travel agencies remain trapped in the region. Tehran has recently retaliated by attacking US bases in Gulf states like Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Because these countries serve as major international transport hubs, commercial travel has faced severe disruptions.
The German Foreign Ministry plans to send crisis support teams to Muscat, Doha, and Dubai. Meanwhile, other teams are currently investigating the situation at various border crossings. Foreign Minister Wadephul noted that citizens might need to cross into Oman or Saudi Arabia. These countries currently keep their airspace open for international flights.
Military Deployment and Commercial Partnerships
Earlier on Monday, a Defence Ministry spokesman described military-led evacuations as a “last resort.” Wadephul emphasized that the Foreign Office prefers coordinating closely with the travel industry first. He has already initiated talks with Lufthansa, the travel group TUI, and the German Travel Association.
Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr confirmed the airline has the capacity to assist. “We have a common goal: we want to help Germans get home,” Wadephul stated. Finally, the minister clarified that the Bundeswehr—Germany’s military—will only intervene if no other options exist.
Border Assistance and Coordination
A specialized team from the German Embassy in Cairo is currently assisting at the Israeli border. This effort ensures that the German government Middle East evacuation 2026 covers multiple exit points. The government remains focused on maintaining open communication with all stranded citizens.
Ongoing assessments of the security situation in Doha and Dubai continue daily. Because the conflict is fluid, evacuation plans may shift to adapt to new threats. According to recent reports, including analysis by Manjeet Sehgal, the stability of Gulf transport hubs remains the biggest concern for international travel.
