HIBAPRESS – Follow-up
The Dutch government announced the launch of a large-scale evacuation operation for its citizens stranded in the Middle East, deciding to send the first military aircraft on Sunday evening, March 8, as part of a plan aimed at repatriating thousands of citizens to the country.
Dutch Foreign Minister, Berendsen, explained in statements reported by local media, that about 11,000 Dutch citizens had requested assistance to return to the Netherlands, noting that many of them face difficulties in reaching airports due to long distances and transportation complications in some areas. The Dutch official added that movement in the region is not without challenges, which prompted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to seek the support of the Ministry of Defense to accelerate the evacuation process of citizens and ensure their safe return. In the same context, Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren confirmed in a televised statement that the evacuation operation will begin using a military aircraft of the A330 MRTT type belonging to the Royal Netherlands Air Force, as a first step in a plan that may include additional flights in the coming days. She explained that the first flight is likely to follow a route starting from the Sultanate of Oman before heading to Egypt, and then returning to the Netherlands, noting that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been carefully managing this operation for several days in anticipation of any developments. The Defense Minister stressed that thousands of citizens are still awaiting evacuation, confirming that the authorities will later announce additional details regarding the organization of flights and the procedures adopted, so that the concerned citizens can follow the expected steps. The Dutch official also did not rule out the possibility of organizing additional air flights if necessary, given the large number of citizens wishing to leave the region and return to the Netherlands. The first aircraft is expected to take off this evening from Dutch territory towards the Sultanate of Oman, before transporting passengers and returning via Egypt to the Netherlands.
