Poland helps nearly 13,000 people leave Gulf amid Iran conflict

Poland's Foreign Ministry says it has helped nearly 13,000 people – mostly Polish nationals, but also EU citizens and those from partner countries – depart the United Arab Emirates and Qatar following the outbreak of conflict in the region.

Polish nationals at an airport during evacuation efforts in the Gulf region.

Photo: Poland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@MSZ_RP) via X

The ministry said it organised and escorted groups of returning Poles to airports in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Muscat, Oman, and carried out interventions with local authorities to ease border crossings, airport operations and secure overflight and landing permits.

A total of 75 flights took place, including 10 special ones.

Polish diplomatic missions across the Middle East have been operating in crisis mode since the conflict began.

Działamy od samego początku. 💪

Nasze placówki na Bliskim Wschodzie od pierwszych dni pracowały w trybie kryzysowym.

Organizowaliśmy i konwojowaliśmy grupy naszych rodaków powracających lotami powrotnymi z ZEA i Kataru na lotniska w Rijadzie i Muskacie. Dzięki temu pomogliśmy w… pic.twitter.com/wkIB1uKKnC

— Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych RP 🇵🇱 (@MSZ_RP) March 14, 2026

The disruption to air travel followed US and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February.

Tehran retaliated with attacks on American bases in the region, prompting several airlines – including Poland's LOT, Air France and others – to suspend scheduled flights to destinations such as Dubai, Tel Aviv, Riyadh and Beirut.

(ał)

Source: IAR