The U.S. Department of State has announced efforts to help American citizens who want to leave the Middle East and return to the United States. In recent days, more than 9,000 Americans have returned from the region, including over 300 from Israel.
The department is organizing charter flights for American citizens from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. Officials said they will continue to secure more flight capacity as security conditions permit.
Commercial flights are still operating in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, and Egypt. The department is assisting Americans in booking these flights. For those in countries where commercial options are not available, the department is helping arrange travel to third countries when possible. This includes expanding ground transportation options for Americans seeking to leave Israel.
Officials reported that nearly 3,000 calls have been received from American citizens in the Middle East asking for assistance. The department continues to offer travel options for those wishing to depart and will waive any legal requirement for Americans to reimburse the government for their travel expenses.
