By Ebi Kesiena
More than 6,400 South African nationals are currently stranded across the Middle East as escalating hostilities involving the United States, Israel and Iran continue to destabilise the region, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said on Friday.
The department disclosed that thousands of citizens have registered their presence through its Travel Smart System as concerns grow over their safety amid intensifying military confrontations.
DIRCO said the surge in registrations reflects growing anxiety among South Africans living or travelling in the region as missile strikes, drone attacks and retaliatory operations continue to spread across multiple countries.
The department urged citizens currently in affected areas to make use of official channels to facilitate evacuation and take advantage of the limited commercial flights that have resumed operations.
“Citizens are strongly encouraged to take immediate advantage of this opportunity to leave, as heavy attacks are regrettably expected to continue,” DIRCO warned, noting that consular support may be limited in some locations due to the deteriorating security situation.
Authorities also advised South Africans to avoid all non-essential travel to the region while the conflict persists and encouraged those facing difficulties to immediately contact South African embassies or designated emergency lines for assistance.
The latest advisory comes as the Middle East experiences one of its most volatile periods in recent years.
Tensions between Iran, Israel and the United States have escalated sharply, with military exchanges expanding beyond their borders. Missile strikes and drone attacks have reportedly affected parts of Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, raising fears of a broader regional confrontation.
The intensifying conflict has also led to border closures, flight cancellations and restrictions on civilian movement, significantly complicating evacuation efforts for South Africans and other foreign nationals in the region.
DIRCO said it remains focused on ensuring the safety of South African citizens and urged those requiring urgent assistance to contact its emergency hotline or the country’s embassies, including its diplomatic mission in Jordan.
