Arabic version: أكثر من 100,000 بريطاني يطلبون المساعدة مع تصاعد الأزمة في الشرق الأوسط

A total of 102,000 Britons have registered their presence in the Middle East with the UK government, as Iranian strikes continue across the region. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told the BBC there were an estimated 300,000 British citizens in Gulf countries, where much of the airspace is closed. Many of those trapped were holidaymakers, passengers transiting through or people on business visits.

Cooper emphasized that, while no evacuation is imminent, the government is preparing for various scenarios should commercial flights remain grounded. British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates have been urged to register their presence to receive updates from the Foreign Office. According to BBC News, this registration is crucial as the number of individuals affected in this crisis is unprecedented.

The situation has been described as “deeply stressful” for those trapped, with Cooper advising them to follow local guidance to shelter in place. She mentioned that the government is in close contact with travel industry representatives and regional governments to monitor the situation closely.

Among those stranded is Layla Hamood, who, along with her husband and three-year-old son, is stuck in Dubai. The family has remained in their hotel since the attacks began, expressing feelings of fear and uncertainty about how to return home. The crisis has led to significant disruptions in air travel, with nearly half of the flights scheduled from London Heathrow to the region canceled.

As the situation unfolds, airlines including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Qatar Airways have suspended or rerouted flights. The attacks have also impacted infrastructure, with damages reported at luxury hotels and Dubai’s main airport. Reports indicate that one person has been killed and 11 others injured at airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi since the strikes began.