The opposition criticizes the strategy for evacuating Gulf residents
Germany’s plan to evacuate stranded citizens from the Gulf conflict zone has sparked fierce criticism, with opposition parties accusing the government of reacting too slowly and inadequately to the escalating crisis.
The federal government announced it would begin evacuating the first German travelers from the Gulf region, focusing initially on what it described as “particularly vulnerable groups.” According to the Foreign Ministry, this includes the sick, children, and pregnant women currently stranded in the conflict area. The measures were revealed on Monday as part of an emergency repatriation effort.
However, the opposition party Alliance 90/The Greens (Groenen) sharply criticized the strategy, calling it insufficient and delayed. Green foreign affairs expert Luise Amtsberg said the worsening situation in the Middle East had been foreseeable for weeks and warned that the government appeared unprepared for the crisis once it escalated into open conflict.
She described the federal response as alarming, arguing that announcing evacuation plans only on the third day after the outbreak of war was not enough. According to her, limiting the effort to selected vulnerable groups fails to address the broader needs of German citizens still trapped in the region.
Meanwhile, German police have urged citizens to exercise caution when attempting to rebook flights from the Gulf region. Authorities warned that scammers are exploiting the chaotic situation, targeting desperate travelers seeking urgent routes home.