Amidst the escalating tensions and ongoing US-Israel war with Iran, Americans in the Middle East are in a state of chaos and uncertainty. The US government has issued a critical advisory urging its citizens in 14 countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Israel, and Qatar, to 'depart now'. However, the situation is far from straightforward for many travellers.
The US State Department has announced plans to secure military and charter planes to assist in the evacuation of American citizens. Yet, many travellers are being forced to wait or find their own way out, with some reporting no flights available and no clear instructions to exit. Florida resident Krista Jucknath Hickman and her husband Mike were among those who had to drive across the border from the UAE to Oman after their holiday turned into 'chaos'.
The couple, who were on a three-stop trip, were halted on the tarmac at Dubai airport as military strikes hit Iran. They were forced to spend a full night and day at the crowded airport. Despite registering with the State Department before their trip, they never received a security alert. The couple eventually managed to book a driver to take them across the border into Oman, paying a hefty price of $1,000.
The US State Department spokesperson Dylan Johnson confirmed that the government is currently in contact with 3,000 travellers. According to the department, around 9,000 Americans have already successfully returned to the US from the region over the last few days. Charter flights are expected to be available soon to evacuate Americans from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.
President Donald Trump urged US citizens in the Middle East to register with the State Department, stating that the department will identify their location and provide travel options. However, some travellers, like former Army Major General Randy Manner, are still trying to make their way out of the airport in Dubai, which he describes as 'mayhem'.
The situation is not limited to Americans. Canada has also urged its citizens to avoid travel to all countries in the region, estimating that more than 85,000 are registered across various countries. Canada's foreign minister, Anita Anand, has asked Oman for access to its airspace if needed to help evacuate its citizens.
The conflict has sparked concern among travellers, like Nathan Devereaux, who works at an NGO in the Shatila refugee camp in Beirut. He and his girlfriend have a flight booked out of Lebanon in a few days, but he is agonising over whether to leave altogether. The uncertainty and chaos faced by travellers in the Middle East highlight the challenges and risks associated with international travel in times of conflict.
