Limited flights from UAE begin as governments seek to extract citizens from West Asia
The Hindu
Limited evacuation flights from UAE begin as governments work to repatriate citizens amid escalating regional conflict and airspace closures.
Travellers stranded by a widening war began departing the United Arab Emirates aboard a small number of evacuation flights on Monday (March 3, 2026), even as most commercial air traffic across West Asia remained suspended.
The limited flights out of Dubai and Abu Dhabi took place as the US State Department urged its citizens in 13 countries, including the UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, and Oman, to “depart now via commercial means due to serious safety risks.” Sweeping airspace closures and flight cancellations across the region left many fewer options for heeding the advice.
Iran-Israel war LIVE - March 3, 2026
Since U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliatory attacks on Israel and Gulf states started on Saturday (February 28, 2026), commercial flights have been halted or heavily restricted, leaving tourists, business travellers, migrant workers and religious pilgrims stuck in hotels, airports and aboard cruise ships.
Airspace remained closed Monday over Iran, Iraq and Israel. Jordan instituted a temporary closure beginning Monday afternoon. Other countries in the Gulf — including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia — had partial or temporary closures that could be extended, according to flight-tracking service Flightradar24.
About 13,000 of the roughly 32,000 flights scheduled into and out of West Asia since Saturday have been cancelled, aviation analytics firm Cirium said.
Nepal's upcoming elections see old parties clashing with new contenders as voters seek change amidst political instability.
Shorts News:Only lasting solution in Iran is a diplomatic one, von der Leyen says
U.K. PM Keir Starmer defends military stance on Iran amid Trump criticism, prioritizing national interests and lessons from past conflicts.
Escalating cross-border strikes between Pakistan and Afghanistan expose a widening political, military, and societal divide between Islamabad and Kabul, despite earlier attempts at dialogue and de-escalation. Disputes over the handling of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, rising militant activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Pakistan’s shift to a military approach deepen mistrust between the establishment and the Taliban leadership.
Indian Navy ships are on standby in the Gulf for potential humanitarian operations amid rising tensions in West Asia.
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivered a defence of Washington’s military operation in Iran, calling it a “clear, devastating, decisive mission” aimed at destroying missile threats and preventing nuclear weapons. He accused Tehran of buying time to restart its nuclear ambitions and warned that any threat to Americans would be met without hesitation. The remarks come amid escalating tensions following U.S. strikes and widening conflict across West Asia.
Putin calls for a ceasefire in West Asia during talks with UAE and Qatar leaders amid escalating regional conflict.
The attack on oil tanker 'Skylight' underscores the dangers facing Indian seafarers in the Persian Gulf amid rising hostilities.
Iranian drone crashes into RAF Akrotiri; UK permits US to use bases for limited defensive operations amid escalating regional conflict.
Muzaffarnagar police arrest Vikki Tyagi's son Rakshit and aide after a shootout, seizing illegal arms and ammunition.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards claim missile attacks targeted Israeli PM Netanyahu's office and air force headquarters using Kheibar missiles.
Israel strikes senior Hezbollah operative in Beirut, marking the group's chief as a target for elimination, says Defence Minister.
China urges a ceasefire and diplomatic resolution to the escalating conflict in West Asia, following casualties and regional tensions.