More than 7,000 Canadians have departed the Middle East since the latest wave of conflict erupted in the region, according to Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Anand said that between March 4 and March 8 alone, over 4,300 Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and their family members successfully returned to Canada. These travellers used a mix of direct flights and indirect routes to make their way home.
The minister emphasized that the Canadian government will continue to assist citizens who want to leave the region as tensions remain high.
“We will continue to provide options for Canadians who wish to leave the region,” Anand said.
She added that although Canadians are encouraged to use regular commercial flights whenever possible, the government is prepared to offer additional support if needed. This assistance may include reserving blocks of seats on flights, arranging charter planes, and organizing bus transportation routes for those trying to exit affected areas.
According to Anand, requests for assistance have started to decline. She noted that the number of daily calls from Canadians seeking help has dropped to about half of what it was the previous week.
Global Affairs Canada also reported that 871 individuals have been relocated to safer third countries, including Turkey, as part of ongoing evacuation efforts.
Officials say nearly 110,000 Canadians are currently registered as being in the region. However, as of Sunday, fewer than five percent have contacted authorities requesting help to leave.
The violence in the region began after American airstrikes targeted Iran on February 28, raising concerns about a wider conflict. Despite the heightened tensions, Global Affairs Canada says it has not received any reports of Canadian citizens being killed or injured in the unrest so far.
The Canadian government says it will continue to monitor the situation closely while keeping evacuation options open for citizens who may decide to leave the region.
