Zambia commences evacuation of citizens from Middle East

Zambia has started the process of evacuating its citizens from countries in the Middle East, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mulambo Haimbe has said.

The government is already dealing with an urgent matter involving a Zambian family of five living in Iraq’s Kurdistan region due to the deteriorating security situation, and that plans have been made to facilitate their evacuation, the minister said.

Efforts are also underway to locate and determine the status of a Zambian national who is said to be living in Iran, he said.

“Through coordinated engagements between our mission in Cairo and Ankara, preparations are underway to facilitate safe transit through the nearest viable corridor, subject to prevailing security assessments,” Haimbe said in a statement released in parliament on the evolving security situation in the region.

Earlier on Saturday morning, U.S.-Israeli airstrikes against Iran killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with some of the leader’s family members, senior military commanders and civilians.

Iran responded through waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. bases across the Middle East.

Haimbe said that the government has not received any reports of injury or loss of life involving any Zambian national.

”Zambia has citizens across several countries within the affected region, including students, professionals and diplomatic staff. All Zambian embassies in the region have been directed to update and confirm registers of Zambian nationals maintain constant communications with the citizens and submit scenario-based coasted evacuation plans,” the minister said.