A Canadian government-chartered flight is scheduled to depart Jordan tonight with more than 100 people on board, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand. Speaking from The Hague, Anand confirmed that Canada is actively assisting its citizens in the Middle East following the outbreak of war between Israel and Iran last week.
Anand noted that while Canada is offering support to allied nations seeking to evacuate their own citizens, the volume of such requests has been small in comparison to the number of Canadians needing help. Since the conflict erupted, Global Affairs Canada has assisted more than 500 Canadians in the region.
With Israeli airspace closed due to the ongoing hostilities, Canada has arranged ground transportation to move its citizens to neighbouring countries. The chartered flights are part of a broader emergency response to ensure safe passage out of the conflict zone.
Canada closed its embassy in Iran in 2012, and consular services for Canadians in the region are now provided through its embassy in Turkey. Global Affairs Canada has also increased its consular presence in surrounding countries to respond swiftly to the evolving situation.