Many travelers find themselves in a difficult situation, unable to return home, and complaints about eviction from hotels have begun to arrive.
Kaktus.media investigated the situation of Kyrgyz citizens in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Strikes by Israel and the USA on Iran
On the morning of February 28, Israel and the USA struck Tehran and other targets in Iran. Donald Trump announced the intention to destroy the nuclear program of the Islamic Republic and urged Iranian military personnel to lay down their arms, while calling on the population to take their fate into their own hands.In response, Iran attacked Israeli territory and other countries in the Middle East. The US Central Command reported that Iran's strikes caused minimal damage to American facilities in the region. However, on March 1, it became known that three American servicemen were killed and five others were seriously injured.
On the second day of the operation, Iranian authorities confirmed the deaths of several high-ranking officials, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh.
Flight Cancellations in the Middle East
On the evening of February 28, a drone attacked Kuwait International Airport, resulting in injuries to several airport workers. As a result, Kuwait Airways suspended all flights.According to information from the airport, the flight cancellations were due to security measures and changes in airline routes.
Passengers whose flights have been canceled are advised to contact the airlines for up-to-date information on refunds or rescheduling of tickets.
Tourists Remain in Hotels
Currently, Kyrgyz citizens in the UAE and Saudi Arabia who purchased packages through tour operators remain in their hotels. This was reported by Kaktus.media Ermek Myrzabekov, chairman of the Tourism Association of Kyrgyzstan.He added that a list of citizens in the UAE and Saudi Arabia is being compiled in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the tourism department, and preliminary data indicates that there are over 400 of them.
“It is difficult to specify the exact number of tourists, as more than 500 travel agencies operate in this direction, and not all of them are members of our association. It is important to note that this list does not include students and workers in Arab countries, as well as those traveling independently. We must provide a final list to the government agencies that are considering the possibility of evacuating our citizens,” Myrzabekov stated.
He emphasized that the UAE and Saudi Arabia are popular destinations for Kyrgyz citizens, although currently there are significantly fewer tourists than in December, when the peak season was observed.
On behalf of the Tourism Association, we appeal to citizens: do not worry, tourists are not left unattended. We never abandon our tourists in difficult situations.“There is no cause for concern. Tour operators are in contact with tourists. In case of problems, it is necessary to contact those through whom the packages were purchased. They will receive assistance. Those who traveled independently will find it more difficult, as information about them may be lacking,” Myrzabekov concluded.
Valeria Bobrova, a board member of the Tourism Association of Kyrgyzstan, also noted that resorts are operating without restrictions, and tourists from Kyrgyzstan remain in hotels. Travel agencies continue to maintain contact with them.
“It is worth noting that cruises in the Persian Gulf have been officially canceled, but all cruisers continue to be on the liners with full service and meals,” Bobrova added.
Authorities' Position
As of March 2, 2026, according to the consular department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, about 22,000 Kyrgyz citizens are in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.- About 100 citizens of Kyrgyzstan are in Israel, mostly women with dual citizenship.
- In the UAE - about 10,000 citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic.
- In Kuwait and Bahrain - about 800 people, mostly permanent residents.
- In Saudi Arabia - about 6,000 people, performing pilgrimage.
“Work is underway to prepare for a possible evacuation of citizens in case the situation worsens. However, at the moment, there is no threat to safety, and there have been no reports of Kyrgyz citizens being harmed,” the department stated.
