Dutch Government Refuses Evacuation as Middle East Crisis Worsens
The Dutch government has announced it will not evacuate citizens stranded in the Gulf region, saying the security situation is too dangerous after US and Israeli air strikes against Iran.
The ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) reported receiving around 1,000 requests for information from Dutch nationals in countries such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, where flights have been suspended and travel routes disrupted.
Airline KLM has cancelled all flights to Dubai, Riyadh, and Dammam until at least Thursday. A spokesperson said the airline is closely monitoring developments in the region and will reassess operations based on security conditions.
Foreign Minister توم بيريندسن said there is currently no safe way to bring people home who cannot leave on their own. He stressed that airspace closures make evacuation impossible and that any return operation must guarantee the safety of passengers and crew.
He added that the Dutch cabinet understands why the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, citing the threat posed by the Iranian regime. However, he emphasized the need to restore stability and seek diplomatic solutions. While acknowledging that there are “legitimate questions” about international law, he said the threat from Iran also plays a key role in how the Dutch government judges the situation.