US says 47,000 Americans evacuated from Middle East since war

Americans Troops – (Web Desk) – Since February 28, about 47,000 Americans have returned home from the Middle East. This comes after the United States and Israel began attacks on Iran, a State Department official told AFP on Thursday.

By the end of the day, more than 48 flights will have brought people back, the official said, speaking anonymously. Around 32,000 Americans received direct travel help and security advice from the department.

Governments around the world are asking their citizens to avoid the Middle East. The region has seen growing violence amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.

But closed airspace and airports meant thousands of people were struggling to find a way out, and flights have only partially resumed in recent days.

US officials in particular came under fire for allegedly not giving citizens sufficient warning to avoid the Middle East in the days before launching the attacks on Iran.

In recent days the government has scrambled to organize charter flights, using emergency funds so that travelers can fly without cost — an unusual perk in such circumstances.

“We have offered departure options to nearly every American in the region who has asked us for assistance,” the state department official said.

“Most Americans who requested assistance have declined seats when offered, opting either to remain in (the) country or book commercial flight options which offer greater flexibility in terms of destination and luggage.”

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Separately on Thursday, the state department raised its terror advisory alert on Azerbaijan to Level 3 (Reconsider Travel), citing “terrorism, armed conflict, and risk of landmines.”

Azerbaijan has been the target of what it says are Iranian drone strikes since the fighting broke out, a charge Tehran has denied.