There are EU citizens in the Middle East who are now demanding to return home. To assist Swedish citizens, the Swedish police are sending personnel to the region.
So far, six flights have been dispatched to the area to evacuate EU citizens under the union’s civil protection mechanism. The travel company TUI has managed to get 20 Swedish citizens out, while assisting an additional 40 in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
On X, Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) writes that the efforts to fly back Swedish citizens continue:
At a press conference on Thursday, Malmer Stenergard said that Sweden is considering the possibility of chartering planes, but no decision has been made at this time.
– I want to be very clear, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands are making exactly the same assessments as we are. They are sending people to be of assistance on site. No decision has yet been taken that chartered planes are the safest for Swedish citizens, she said.
Police to Abu Dhabi
Personnel from the Swedish police are now also on their way to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. There, they will assist Swedish citizens who are stranded. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs already has a team on the ground in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
– We are always ready to provide support when Swedish authorities operate abroad. We are also prepared to quickly deploy more resources or specialized skills if the Foreign Ministry deems it necessary, says Linda Hedmark, Head of the Operations Division, Noa.
The mission also involves reviewing travel documents and IDs as well as assisting with police and security-related matters.
– We will remain as long as needed. However, the starting point is that when the airspace opens, Swedes should, as much as possible, make their own way to Sweden, says Linda Hedmark.
200 people
The focus will mainly be on travellers with special needs, such as families with small children, the elderly and people with disabilities. Approximately 200 Swedish citizens are believed to be present in the area.
– In situations like these, there is close cooperation between several Swedish agencies in order to both help Swedish citizens and at the same time maintain order and safety, says Linda Hedmark.
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