Americans travelling in the Middle East say it has been “mayhem” trying to get back home as the US-Israel war with Iran is felt throughout the region.
The US is advising its citizens in 14 countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Israel, and Qatar, to “depart now” as security warnings put embassies on lockdown. Canada has also urged its citizens to leave.
But some tourists report that there are no flights and no clear instructions to exit.
The US State Department said it was securing military and charter planes to pick up American citizens who want to leave the Middle East. For now, though, many travellers say they are being forced to wait or find their own way out.
An advisory posted on Monday urges Americans to “depart now via commercial means” from Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the occupied West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
But leaving by commercial airline has proved tough for many travellers.
Florida resident Krista Jucknath Hickman said she and her husband Mike’s holiday turned to “chaos” when they became stranded at Dubai airport.
“The number provided by the state department for support is unable to help,” she said. “I called twice.”
She added, “All that can be done is book flights that don’t take off.”
The couple eventually managed to book a driver for $1 000 to take them across the border into Oman.
State department spokesperson Dylan Johnson said the government was currently in contact with 3 000 travellers.
Some 9 000 Americans have already successfully returned to the US from the region over the last few days, according to the department.
The statement said that charter flights would soon be available to evacuate Americans from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. (BBC)