Source: Zim evacuates nationals from Iran, monitors Middle East – herald
Debra Matabvu
THE Government has completed the evacuation of Zimbabwean students and non-essential embassy staff from Iran, as the escalating conflict in the Middle East continues to raise concerns over the safety of citizens across the region.
Authorities say they are now closely monitoring developments in Gulf countries, where thousands of Zimbabweans are based, amid fears that the worsening security situation could spread further.
An estimated 6 000 Zimbabweans are living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) alone.
The evacuation follows a rapid deterioration in security after the unprovoked attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, which are now entering their fourth week.
The conflict has since spilled across parts of the region, drawing in multiple countries and heightening global concern.
The Sunday Mail has established that the evacuated students and non-essential embassy staff returned home earlier this month.
Essential embassy personnel have since been relocated to Armenia, where they continue to monitor the situation.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ambassador Albert Chimbindi said only Zimbabweans based in Iran had so far requested evacuation.
“So far, the only people who are back are some citizens who were in Iran, and these are the non-essential staff as well as students,” he said.
“These are the only ones who indicated that they need to be evacuated. Some officers are still in Armenia monitoring the situation.”
He said no Zimbabweans in other Gulf countries had requested evacuation, but the Government had activated contingency plans to respond swiftly if the situation deteriorated.
“All our embassies have contingency measures in case they need to be evacuated,” he said.
“Our embassies in countries such as the United Arab Emirates have communicated through official channels with Zimbabweans in those countries.
“All the machinery is in place in case there is need for evacuation.”
Embassies, Amb Chimbindi added, were compiling updated records of Zimbabweans living in the region, noting that some citizens did not formally register with diplomatic missions.
“Currently, there are about 6 000 Zimbabweans living in the UAE. However, in some instances, people do not officially register with their respective embassies until such incidents,” he said.
“So, the process of compiling accurate figures is ongoing.”
The conflict has intensified in recent weeks, with the US and Israel carrying out multiple strikes across Iran.
Tehran has retaliated by targeting US interests in regional countries.
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