KRG works to repatriate residents stranded in UAE
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Department of Foreign Relations announced on Thursday that it is working to repatriate the residents of the Kurdistan Region who remain stranded in the United Arab Emirates due to the current circumstances, outlining a travel route through Saudi Arabia that will allow them to return home.
In a statement on Thursday, the department said the effort is being carried out in coordination with Iraqi federal authorities and with the cooperation of Saudi Arabia.
“Following the continuous efforts of the Kurdistan Regional Government to bring back stranded citizens, the Department of Foreign Relations - in coordination with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs - is working to repatriate those citizens who are stuck in the UAE due to the current circumstances,” the statement said.
The department explained that Saudi Arabia has "opened its borders to those wishing to return through the Arar border crossing without the need for a prior visa.”
According to the procedure outlined by the KRG, stranded citizens can travel from the UAE to Saudi Arabia and obtain the necessary visa at the al-Batha border crossing before continuing their journey north toward Iraq.
The announcement comes amid ongoing disruptions affecting travel across parts of the Middle East, leaving a number of Iraqi citizens stranded abroad and seeking ways to return home safely.
The large-scale conflict between the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other has spread across the region, bringing significant repercussions for several countries, including the Kurdistan Region.
The Kurdistan Region - particularly capital Erbil - has been targeted by multiple drone and missile attacks carried out by Iran and Iran-backed groups in Iraq.
In a statement on Thursday, the department said the effort is being carried out in coordination with Iraqi federal authorities and with the cooperation of Saudi Arabia.
“Following the continuous efforts of the Kurdistan Regional Government to bring back stranded citizens, the Department of Foreign Relations - in coordination with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs - is working to repatriate those citizens who are stuck in the UAE due to the current circumstances,” the statement said.
The department explained that Saudi Arabia has "opened its borders to those wishing to return through the Arar border crossing without the need for a prior visa.”
According to the procedure outlined by the KRG, stranded citizens can travel from the UAE to Saudi Arabia and obtain the necessary visa at the al-Batha border crossing before continuing their journey north toward Iraq.
The announcement comes amid ongoing disruptions affecting travel across parts of the Middle East, leaving a number of Iraqi citizens stranded abroad and seeking ways to return home safely.
The large-scale conflict between the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other has spread across the region, bringing significant repercussions for several countries, including the Kurdistan Region.
The Kurdistan Region - particularly capital Erbil - has been targeted by multiple drone and missile attacks carried out by Iran and Iran-backed groups in Iraq.