U.S. evacuates over 28,000 Americans from Middle East amid rising tensions

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The United States Department of State says more than 28,000 American citizens have returned safely to the United States from the Middle East since late February as Washington expands evacuation and travel support operations amid heightened regional tensions.

In a statement released on Saturday, Dylan Johnson said the large-scale effort was part of an ongoing operation to assist Americans seeking to leave the region following escalating security concerns.

Johnson disclosed that since February 28, the State Department had coordinated multiple evacuation measures, including charter flights and ground transport, to facilitate the safe movement of U.S. nationals.

According to him, the figure does not include Americans who have relocated to neighbouring countries or those who have already departed the Middle East but remain in transit to the United States.

The State Department said it had completed more than a dozen charter flights, evacuating thousands of Americans as part of the operation.

While commercial airline services across the region are gradually resuming, the department said its charter flight and ground transport arrangements would continue to expand as security conditions permit.

Officials added that the department’s 24-hour Task Force has also been actively providing direct assistance to citizens abroad, offering security advice and travel guidance.

The task force has so far assisted more than 16,000 Americans through information support and coordination of travel arrangements.

The State Department urged U.S. citizens currently in countries including Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Israel who require travel assistance to complete the official Crisis Intake Form to facilitate evacuation planning.

Washington said it remained committed to helping any American citizen wishing to leave the Middle East amid the evolving security situation.

The department also advised citizens in need of immediate assistance to contact its 24-hour emergency hotline as evacuation and support operations continue across the region.