McEntee urges 20,000 Irish citizens in Gulf to shelter in place

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Meath East TD, Helen McEntee has called on the estimated 20,000 Irish citizens in Gulf states to shelter in place and avoid trying to leave via land routes amid ongoing instability.

Multiple Gulf states have come under attack as Iran vowed to carry out its "most intense operation" ever in retaliation for the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The 86-year-old was killed in a US-Israeli attack yesterday morning, raising concerns about an escalation of tensions across the Middle East.

"If you're talking about those who are resident as well as those transiting through, you are talking about up to 20,000 [Irish people in the region]," Ms McEntee told RTÉ's This Week.

"If you compare us to other countries of our size we have a very large number of people ... we have many young people teaching, working there, and so we have a much larger number than perhaps other countries of our size would have."

She said that she was not aware of any Irish citizens who have been injured or are caught up in what is happening but that she appreciates how difficult it is for those here in Ireland who have loved ones in the region.

The minister said that a large number of Irish citizens, in particular in the United Arab Emirates, have already registered with the department's citizen registration platform, and she encouraged others in the region to do the same.

"We're asking people to register so that we have a complete picture of who is there.

"We have a general sense of the numbers who are working there and are resident, however, we know there are many people on holidays who wouldn't ordinarily register, we know there are many people who would be transiting through, so this will allow us to have the information and contact details of those."

She said the department has set up a consular line that is being manned 24/7 and to check its social media platforms for the most up to date advice.

She strongly urged Irish citizens not to consider land routes to neighbouring countries, such as Oman.

"This is a unique consular situation, with a large number of citizens located in UAE in particular, and with local and regional airports shut and in some cases under attack," she said.

"As of now, there are no evacuation routes recommended for Gulf countries and so the advice is to shelter in place."

Ms McEntee later said that she had spoken to the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and expressed Ireland's condolences to the victims of attacks on the UAE over the last 36 hours.

"The UAE is an important and valued partner and many Irish people call the UAE home," she said.

"In this uncertain time, the safety of Irish citizens in the UAE and wider region is my utmost priority and I deeply appreciate the efforts of the UAE Government to keep all residents safe and informed."

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