The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has recorded more than 6 400 South African citizens in the Middle East on its Travel Smart system as of 4 March, as escalating conflict continues to disrupt air travel and daily life across the region.
The department on Wednesday urged South African citizens currently in the region for non-essential travel to use official channels to facilitate their departure from cities and countries affected by the ongoing interstate conflict.
“This proactive measure is essential to prepare for an exit from the danger zone as soon as it is safe to secure passage,” DIRCO said in a statement.
Several airlines have resumed limited commercial flights out of the region, with DIRCO encouraging citizens to take immediate advantage of this opportunity to leave.
“Citizens are strongly encouraged to take immediate advantage of this opportunity to leave, as heavy attacks are regrettably expected to continue in the coming days,” the department said.
The conflict has brought much of the region’s air travel to a near standstill, with multiple carriers suspending services and airspace restrictions affecting commercial aviation routes.
DIRCO has discouraged all non-essential travel to the region at this time and warned that consular support may be limited, particularly in the event of an emergency.
South Africans experiencing difficulties with the evacuation process or requiring urgent consular support can contact the South African Emergency Line at +27 12 351 1000 and request consular services.
They can also reach the South African Embassy in Amman, Jordan, on +962 6-461-5167, or make inquiries regarding the Jordan border on +962 5 393 3031.
Email coordination is available through ngwanyaa@dirco.gov.za or segevl@dirco.gov.za, whilst emergency consular support can be accessed through Mr Litha Ngwanya on +972 50-520-8100 or Ms Lizelle Segev on +972 54-588-0698.
South Africa has called on all parties involved in the conflict to exercise maximum restraint and to act in a manner consistent with international law, international humanitarian law, and the principles of the United Nations Charter.
In an advisory on Monday, the department called on all South African citizens currently in the Middle East to urgently contact the relevant South African embassies accredited to their countries of residence to ensure that they are registered and that their whereabouts are known to officials.
The Travel Smart system can be accessed on https://travelsmart.dirco.gov.za/welcome and from the Apple App Store on https://apps.apple.com/za/app/travel-smart/id6446180597 and on Android on https://play.google.com/store/apps/details.
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