The United States has evacuated thousands of its citizens from the Middle East since last week through a series of charter flights, the US State Department said Saturday.
The department reported that more than 12 charter flights have been completed as part of emergency efforts to help Americans leave the region amid escalating tensions.
The evacuation operation follows the start of US and Israeli strikes on Iran last Saturday and Iran’s subsequent retaliatory attacks against neighboring countries, which forced the closure of airspace across parts of the region.
The evacuation plans have drawn criticism of the administration of US President Donald Trump over the speed and coordination of its initial response to Americans seeking to leave the conflict zone.
The State Department said it is expanding charter flights and arranging land transportation whenever security conditions allow, as authorities continue efforts to assist US citizens attempting to depart the Middle East.
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