Cyprus completes series of evacuation flights: over a thousand citizens removed from war zone

Amid the ongoing war surrounding Iran, the authorities of Cyprus have conducted a large-scale operation over the past week to evacuate their citizens and residents of the European Union from the combat zone. The operation was coordinated through the National Crisis Management Centre at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic.

Eight charter flights in a week

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, eight charter flights were organized over the last week in cooperation with the country's diplomatic missions, aimed at removing people from the crisis zone.

The repatriation program concluded with the arrival of a Cyprus Airways flight from the United Arab Emirates. There were 149 passengers on board, marking the final flight in the emergency evacuation operation.

Over a thousand evacuated

In total, according to official data, the charter flights allowed for the evacuation of 1,181 people from the crisis-stricken region.

Among those evacuated were:

• citizens of Cyprus,
• foreigners permanently residing on the island,
• citizens of European Union countries.

Thus, the operation became not only a national mission but also a de facto pan-European humanitarian one.

Consular support continues

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the country's diplomatic missions continue to work with citizens who remain in or around the crisis zone, providing them with consular and organizational assistance.

The department stated that additional support and coordination mechanisms with European Union partners could be activated if necessary.

Cyprus as a regional humanitarian hub

Against the backdrop of growing instability in the Middle East, Cyprus is gradually becoming one of the key logistical and humanitarian hubs for the evacuation of citizens from conflict zones. Geographical proximity to the region, a developed aviation infrastructure, and diplomatic channels allow the island to respond promptly to crises and receive evacuees.

The past week has shown that in conditions of rapid escalation of war, such rapid evacuation mechanisms are becoming critically important for the safety of European citizens.