Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has confirmed that a UK government charter flight will depart from Oman "in the coming days" to extricate British nationals from the Middle East, prioritising vulnerable individuals. This announcement comes as tensions in the region escalate, prompting urgent evacuation efforts.
Unprecedented Registration Numbers
In a statement to the House of Commons, Cooper revealed that as of Tuesday morning, approximately 130,000 British nationals have registered with the 'register your presence' programme across the Middle East. This initiative enables them to receive critical updates from the British government as the situation develops rapidly.
Challenges and Coordination
Cooper emphasised the complexities of the operation, noting that airspace closures in many affected countries have hindered departure options. She stated, "Members will know that in many of these countries, the airspace is still closed, but I am in close contact with my counterparts across the region."
The Foreign Secretary highlighted ongoing discussions with the United Arab Emirates, praising their support in facilitating some departures as conditions permit. Additionally, the UK government is collaborating with commercial airlines to boost capacity out of Muscat, Oman's capital, for British nationals.
Priority for Vulnerable Nationals
The charter flight from Muscat will focus on evacuating vulnerable British nationals first. Cooper urged caution, advising that individuals in Oman must await direct contact from the Foreign Office regarding evacuation options rather than attempting to arrange travel independently.
She assured MPs, "We will continue to work 24/7 on supporting British nationals in the region. This is a very fast-moving situation. We have unprecedented numbers of British nationals in the region, and I will continue to update members and affected British nationals as the situation evolves."
The government's response underscores the scale of the crisis, with the high registration figures reflecting widespread concern among expatriates and travellers. Further updates are expected as diplomatic efforts intensify to secure safe passage for those stranded.
