Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and widespread airspace closures, Kazakhstan is organizing the evacuation of its citizens from the region using overland routes.

Vice Foreign Minister Alibek Bakaev briefed the government on the ongoing efforts, explaining multiple evacuation routes, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

On March 2, a Flydubai flight transported Kazakh citizens who had previously purchased tickets for travel by February 28 but were unable to fly on March 1 and 2 due to the UAE’s airspace closure. “Many airlines have suspended flights, but carriers were allowed to honor pre-booked tickets, so the flight still operated,” Bakaev said.

For citizens without tickets or those residing in the UAE and Qatar, Kazakhstan has arranged evacuation through neighboring countries:

Oman route: From Dubai, buses transported Kazakh citizens to Oman. By the end of the day, 467 citizens were scheduled to return to Kazakhstan via this route.

Saudi Arabia route: Citizens in Qatar are being bused to Riyadh and then Jeddah, from where Kazakh airlines are flying them home.

Iran route: Citizens in northern Iran are being evacuated overland through Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan. Following talks between the Kazakh Foreign Minister and Turkmen authorities, border crossing was approved. So far, 18 citizens stranded in Gorgan, northern Iran, have been safely evacuated.

The Kazakh Foreign Ministry continues coordinating these operations, working with neighboring countries to ensure the safe return of all citizens.