All stranded Malaysians in West Asia repatriated, says Tok Mat

 The foreign minister says there are currently no plans to evacuate any more residing in the affected countries.

On March 11, some 163 Malaysians returned home on the first evacuation flight. (Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 All Malaysians stranded by the conflict in West Asia have been safely repatriated, says foreign minister Mohamad Hasan.

He said there are currently no plans to evacuate more Malaysians residing in the affected countries, adding that airspace in the region has reopened and they can return on their own.

“The National Security Council has taken over the task of monitoring the situation and will advise the foreign ministry on coordinating the consulates,” he said after the Forum Ilmuwan Malaysia Madani event today.

On March 8, the foreign ministry said 649 Malaysians were reportedly stranded across West Asia because of the US-Israeli war with Iran.

On March 11, some 163 Malaysians returned home on Malaysia’s first evacuation flight. The foreign ministry said the group comprised umrah pilgrims in Saudi Arabia as well as Malaysians in Qatar, Jordan and Syria.

Tensions in the region have escalated since Feb 28 following attacks by Israel and the US on Iran, and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes on US interests in Gulf states. - FMT