Macedonia has begun evacuating its citizens from the Middle East following a significant deterioration of the security situation in the region. Diplomatic and consular missions are coordinating operations, and 632 Macedonian citizens have requested help returning home.

The first charter flight carrying 151 Macedonian citizens has already landed in Skopje from Dubai. Additional flights from the United Arab Emirates are expected on Tuesday, with planned transport support also for citizens in Qatar and Kuwait.

Some citizens are returning on regular commercial flights, while special transport arrangements are being organised for those with particular needs. The situation is especially complex for citizens in Israel - they are being transported by land to Egypt, and then by government aircraft to Skopje.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that diplomatic missions maintain constant contact with citizens in affected areas, and that evacuation plans are being prepared for Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait as well.

Citizens who wish to return home but have not yet registered are urged to contact consular missions or official MFA channels urgently - so that no seats on upcoming flights are left empty.