Greece evacuates 1,039 citizens from Middle East after Israel–Iran escalation
Greece has evacuated 1,039 citizens from several Middle Eastern countries following the escalation triggered by U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced.
In his weekly Sunday briefing, Mitsotakis said the evacuations were carried out over the past five days, as Greek authorities moved quickly to assist citizens stranded in the region after the surge in regional tensions.
Evacuations from Eight Countries
According to data shared by the prime minister, the evacuation operation was coordinated by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with Greek embassies and consulates in the region.
Greek citizens and their family members were transported back to Greece from the following countries:
- Qatar
- Kuwait
- Bahrain
- Israel
- Oman
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Palestine
In total, 1,039 people were safely repatriated.
Military and Charter Aircraft Used
Mitsotakis said the evacuations were carried out using chartered aircraft funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as ground transportation in certain cases.
The operation also included the use of C-130 military transport aircraft, which assisted in moving citizens out of affected areas more quickly.
Regional Tensions Trigger Evacuation Efforts
The evacuation comes amid growing instability in the Middle East, following the latest military escalation involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Greek authorities said the priority of the operation was to ensure the safe and rapid return of citizens and their families, as the security situation in the region remains uncertain.
