The International Relations Department has encouraged South Africans who are in the Middle East to immediately take advantage of the limited flights available to leave the region.

It has advised them to contact the Consular Support numbers listed on the DIRCO website – dirco@gov.za.

The department says heavy attacks are expected to continue in the coming days. It has noted a significant increase South Africans’ registrations in the region on the Travel Smart system.

Over 6 400 South Africans have registered their presence.

Dirco spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri has strongly discouraged South Africans from all embarking on non-essential travel to the region.

“Most of our South Africans are in the UAE and Doha and we have strong missions there who are able to access those individuals, if need be. For some who are in Bahrain, we are able to advise them on how to exit using some other land borders or land facilities where possible. But as you would know, the airspace in that region remains quite volatile – there’s the small windows of opening and closing from time to time and we’ve encouraged South Africans to use those windows where the airspace is open, if they can to get the next flight back home.”

South Africans are strongly discouraged from all non-essential travel to the Middle East at this time. Citizens are strongly encouraged to take immediate advantage of opportunities to leave the region. pic.twitter.com/fPKDGXzNUq

— Chrispin Phiri (@Chrispin_JPhiri) March 4, 2026

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