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Egypt to Evacuate Nationals Escaping Ukraine

A view of a residential building damaged by recent shelling in Kharkiv on 26 February 2022. [SERGEY BOBOK/AFP via Getty Images]
A view of a residential building damaged by recent shelling in Kharkiv on 26 February 2022. [SERGEY BOBOK/AFP via Getty Images]
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Egypt to Evacuate Nationals Escaping Ukraine

A view of a residential building damaged by recent shelling in Kharkiv on 26 February 2022. [SERGEY BOBOK/AFP via Getty Images]
A view of a residential building damaged by recent shelling in Kharkiv on 26 February 2022. [SERGEY BOBOK/AFP via Getty Images]

In the wake of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis and upon directives from President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, an EgyptAir plane flew on Tuesday afternoon to Bucharest to evacuate Egyptian nationals who fled the conflict in Ukraine to Romania, the government announced.

Cabinet Spokesman Ambassador Nader Saad said the cabinet issued the orders upon receiving the presidential directives to make all necessary coordination between the Foreign Ministry, the Egyptian embassies in the countries surrounding Ukraine, the Ministry of Emigration and Expatriate Affairs and the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
He said they agreed to send a plane to fly home Egyptian students from Bucharest.

Also, Assistant Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs and Egyptians Abroad Salah Eddin al-Sadek headed to Bucharest on the same plane to follow up on all the arrangements, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian embassy in Kyiv called on its citizens to quickly head to the Egyptian embassy in Bucharest, where a list of passengers taking the evacuation plane was prepared.

It also advised them to directly head to the airport from the embassy in one group.

In Cairo, Egyptian Minister of Immigration and Egyptian Expats Nabila Makram confirmed that the state is keen to follow up on the conditions of Egyptians in Ukraine in light of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.

She commended the role of Egyptian embassies in the countries neighboring Ukraine, saying the diplomatic teams were capable of “providing facilities for Egyptians crossing the borders and of solving any problem facing them during their move to safe areas.”

On Monday, the government said that Makram renewed her appeal to the Egyptian community in Ukraine to be cautious and abide by instructions issued by the concerned authorities.

“When they decide to move, Egyptians should continue to communicate with the Egyptian embassy and with representatives of the community to solve any problem they may face, and until they reach safe border areas,” the Minister said.

She said the Egyptian state spares no effort towards its nationals in Ukraine, and is working in full swing to help them return safely to their country.

The Minister had also directed all Egyptians in Ukraine not to believe unreliable news and to follow only the data issued by Egyptian government agencies and the Egyptian embassy in Kyiv.

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Arab World

Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
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Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Thursday called on major powers to “exert greater efforts to end the war in Palestine and Lebanon.” Meanwhile, an Iraqi government official urged the United States to “prevent any attacks on the country,” referring to potential Israeli strikes.
During a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Al-Sudani stressed the importance of ensuring the conflict does not escalate “to a level that threatens regional and global stability.”
The Iraqi prime minister’s appeal comes amid reports suggesting that Israel may launch strikes on Iraq in retaliation for attacks by Iraqi armed factions targeting Israeli positions.
The Iraqi government is striving to assert its exclusive authority over weapons and war-related decisions. However, armed factions affiliated with the Axis of Resistance openly claim responsibility for near-daily rocket attacks on Israel. This has provided Israel with a justification for potentially targeting Iraqi territory, especially after it filed a complaint with the UN Security Council against six Iraqi factions and held Baghdad responsible for the attacks.
These factions have also openly declared their involvement in the ongoing conflict with Israel in Lebanon and Gaza. The Iraqi government has been unable to take decisive action to halt the activities of these factions, which many believe could soon expose Iraq to an Israeli strike.
According to media reports, Washington has warned Baghdad that Israeli airstrikes on Iraq are “imminent” unless the Iraqi government curtails attacks by Iranian-backed factions on Israel. The Times of Israel cited sources indicating that the United States has “exhausted all means of pressure on Israel” and urged Iraq to act swiftly to prevent such attacks.
Despite repeated assurances from the Iraqi government—including its recent adoption of 12 measures by the National Security Council to counter Israeli threats and complaints—the situation remains tense. These measures include monitoring Iraq’s western borders, preventing factions from launching attacks, and maintaining Iraq’s neutrality in the ongoing conflict.
On Wednesday, Abu Hussein Al-Hamidawi, Secretary-General of Kata’ib Hezbollah, made a striking statement on the role of resistance factions in the war and their commitment to the Unity of Fronts doctrine frequently mentioned by Axis of Resistance groups.
In an interview published by the faction’s media arm, Al-Hamidawi said: “The continuity of the Unity of Fronts concept depends on what the Lebanese Hezbollah decides.”
Al-Hamidawi also emphasized that resistance factions are constantly coordinating internally and with external partners such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Palestinian resistance leaders.
“We aim to ensure that the Palestinian people are not left alone and that the Unity of Fronts remains intact,” he stated.
Fadi Al-Shammari, a political advisor to Sudani, reiterated that Israel’s threats “are not new,” citing the recent complaint filed by Israel with the UN Security Council as part of its pattern of issuing threats.
In media statements, Al-Shammari reaffirmed the Iraqi government’s long-standing position: “The decision of war and peace lies solely with the Iraqi government.”
He noted that the factions’ attacks are being launched from areas outside Iraq’s borders, specifically from Syria. However, he stressed that the Iraqi government is working through its security and military agencies to prevent Iraq from becoming a battlefield for external or internal parties.
Al-Shammari also called on the United States to fulfill its responsibilities under the Strategic Framework Agreement and security pact with Iraq, emphasizing the need to deter and respond to any external attacks that threaten Iraq’s internal security.