SEPANG: Malaysia has launched an evacuation operation for its citizens in the Middle East conflict zone by dispatching a specially- chartered Malaysia Airlines aircraft to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The aircraft, which departed from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 4.10pm yesterday, is scheduled to arrive in Jeddah at 8.50pm (local time) and depart for Malaysia at 10.20pm.
The flight is expected to arrive at KLIA at noon today, Bernama reported.
The number of passengers for this first mission is estimated to be around 200, comprising students, travellers and umrah pilgrims, although the final figure will be subject to confirmation on the ground.
It is understood that the mission is to bring home a group of Malaysians who were previously stranded at several locations, including Syria, Jordan and Qatar.
The group is believed to include those who have been relocated to Jeddah to board the return flight, as well as five Thai nationals who are family members of affected Malaysians.
The operation is being carried out on the instruction of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who directed for necessary measures be implemented immediately to ensure the safety and welfare of Malaysians in the affected areas.
The National Security Council (NSC) is coordinating the operation in close cooperation with the Foreign Ministry through Malaysia’s diplomatic missions in the relevant countries.
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated since Feb 28 following attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran, which were followed by retaliatory strikes by Teheran against US interests in Gulf states.
