SAEDNEWS: “The delayed instructions and insufficient assistance from the U.S. State Department have driven thousands of American citizens in Middle Eastern countries into a frantic rush to exit the region.”
According to Saed News political service, citing Fars News Agency, U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran began last Saturday (February 28) and were met with a swift response from Iran. Experts say the conflict has plunged all countries in the region into significant insecurity and crisis.
However, by Monday, American citizens in 14 Middle Eastern countries and territories had not received the government’s urgent “leave immediately” message.
Monday’s message urged Americans to “depart using available commercial transportation due to serious safety risks.” The following day, Donald Trump announced on social media that the government would provide free charter flights. However, the Trump administration did not disclose where these flights would pick up Americans, how many flights there would be, or how many passengers they could carry.
Estimates of the American population across the region vary widely. Some reports suggest there are roughly 1 million Americans throughout the Middle East.
Numerous accounts have emerged of Americans eager to leave the region but frustrated by the government’s approach. Although on a smaller scale, the apparent lack of an overarching evacuation plan recalls the disorderly and chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
On Tuesday, Trump responded to questions about why no initial evacuation plan existed, saying: “Well, because everything happened very fast.” This comes despite a serious U.S. military buildup in the region that began in January.
The week began with a series of messages indicating that Americans in the Middle East largely need to find their own way home, while many embassies and consulates remain closed. The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem stated on Monday that it is “currently not in a position to evacuate Americans leaving Israel or provide direct assistance.”
The U.S. mission in Riyadh warned on Tuesday that “due to security risks, the U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to American citizens in Saudi Arabia.”
Meanwhile, Americans hoping to leave Jordan were advised: “If it is safe to do so and you wish to leave Jordan, please coordinate directly with your airline or travel agency.”
