Several ambassadors accredited to Saudi Arabia said their countries are coordinating closely with Saudi authorities to facilitate the entry and transit of their citizens through the Kingdom’s land crossings, amid the instability in the region.
Mohsen Mahbash, chargé d’affaires at the Syrian Embassy in Riyadh, said the embassy receives daily lists — coordinated with Syrian embassies across Gulf countries — that are sent to the Saudi Foreign Ministry to help stranded Syrian citizens obtain visas needed to transit overland through Saudi territory to Syria or other destinations.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Mahbash said the embassy formed a committee from its diplomatic staff after flights were suspended to follow the issue. It also launched a WhatsApp hotline to receive inquiries from stranded citizens about procedures for obtaining visas that allow them to pass through the Kingdom to Syria by land or to third countries.
He said that from the first moments of the regional escalation and the suspension of flights due to military operations, the embassy began receiving inquiries and requests for assistance from Syrian citizens stranded at Saudi airports after their flights were canceled.
The embassy immediately contacted the Saudi Foreign Ministry to inquire about procedures that could help those cases obtain the visas needed to leave the Kingdom or transit through it to other destinations, he said.
Mahbash added that the Saudi Foreign Ministry circulated procedures for granting visas through official diplomatic channels to streamline the process and remove obstacles for citizens needing assistance.
Regarding pilgrims and visitors, Mahbash said the embassy continues coordinating with Syria’s ministries of religious endowments and tourism to monitor the movement of pilgrims and ensure their return to Syria.
He praised the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for its immediate and daily coordination, noting that Umrah pilgrims’ trips and returns to Syria have so far proceeded without significant obstacles.
He reiterated his country’s position, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, condemning what it described as Iran’s unjustified escalation and attacks against countries in the region.
He also praised the Saudi Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, and the Interior Ministry for their direct and supportive response in assisting Syrian citizens affected by the current situation.
Egypt’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ehab Abu Srei told Asharq Al-Awsat that Saudi Arabia has shown a strong understanding of the difficult situation facing Egyptian visitors stranded in Gulf countries.
He said communication has taken place with the consular department at the Saudi Foreign Ministry regarding residents and visitors in the Kingdom and across Gulf countries, particularly Bahrain, adding that residents in all Gulf states face no restrictions on entering Saudi Arabia.
The Egyptian Embassy in Riyadh has urged Egyptian citizens stranded in neighboring Gulf countries that share land borders with Saudi Arabia to contact Egyptian embassies in those countries to take the necessary measures.
The embassy said this falls within the framework of the Saudi Foreign Ministry's generous initiative to allow emergency entry visas at land crossings, so that Saudi territory can be used for returning to Egypt.
Abu Srei also praised the political coordination between the two countries under the current circumstances, describing it as “high-level coordination.”
He reiterated Egypt’s position, condemning violations of the sovereignty of any Gulf Cooperation Council state, including Saudi Arabia, stressing that dialogue — not military operations — is the path to resolving disputes.
Meanwhile, Iraq’s Foreign Ministry welcomed Saudi Arabia’s approval of a request submitted by the Iraqi Embassy in Riyadh to grant transit visas to Iraqi citizens wishing to return home via Saudi territory through the Arar border crossing.
The ministry said the move followed ongoing diplomatic coordination among the Iraqi Embassy in Riyadh, the Saudi Foreign Ministry, and the relevant authorities.
It added that the necessary official approvals were obtained to grant entry visas for overland transit, in line with the Kingdom’s laws and regulations, ensuring smooth movement through air and land border crossings.
