The estimated 20,000 Irish people in the Middle East are being urged against taking perilous land journeys to escape the escalating conflict engulfing the region. The Irish Government is urging citizens to take “shelter” and to register with local embassies, or on a special consular helpline, in the event of evacuations. However, it is not clear how the thousands of Irish people in the UAE would get to Oman or Saudi Arabia. Ms McEntee told RTÉ radio that embassies are hearing reports of Irish people in Dubai travelling to, or considering travelling to, Muscat in Oman. Any decision by Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militia, to launch missiles from South Lebanon at Israel is expected to spark a devastating reprisal, which could put UN troops in the crossfire.

Source: Irish Examiner March 01, 2026 20:35 UTC