The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that 505 Macedonian citizens have been registered for evacuation from endangered areas in the Middle East. The largest number – 458 – are located in the United Arab Emirates, 141 in Qatar, 31 in Kuwait and 14 in Bahrain.

On the government plane, citizens who expressed readiness for evacuation from Israel are departing in the afternoon hours. The flight trajectory passes through Saudi Arabia, and passengers are expected to arrive in Skopje the same day.

In the coming days, the Ministry plans to organise the return of citizens located in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. Some will be transported by charter flights and some via regular commercial routes.

A total of 632 Macedonian nationals have requested information and assistance for evacuation. The Embassy in Abu Dhabi serves as the coordination centre for the evacuation of citizens in the region, and registration is open for all those wishing to return to their homeland.

The government is calling on all Macedonian citizens in the affected areas to follow official announcements regularly and maintain contact with the competent diplomatic missions.