SA begins process to bring 116 stranded citizens back from the Middle East

At least 116 South Africans stranded in the Middle East are expected to be reunited with their families by the end of this week.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) says the first group of 30 citizens will fly home from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, today.

Thousands of flights were disrupted after escalating strikes between the United States, Israel, and Iran led to airspace closures across parts of the region.

The department confirmed last week that more than 6,000 South Africans have registered on the Travel Smart system to assist with evacuations from danger zones.

Several airlines, including Emirates, have added extra flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town.

#SouthAfrican🇿🇦 embassies in Kuwait & Saudi Arabia are facilitating the return of 116 nationals from Kuwait. The first group of 30 are enroute to Riyadh by road. They’ll fly home to 🇿🇦 with @flyethiopian. pic.twitter.com/y3t1tdkkdD

— Clayson Monyela (@ClaysonMonyela) March 9, 2026

Government has also confirmed that a South African woman, who was stranded in Israel for work-related reasons, is scheduled to return home from Jordan on Monday.

@xolile697

All in all they said masihlise igazi #strandedinqatar #southafricatiktok🇿🇦 #ramaphosa #iranwar #iranisraelusa

♬ original sound – Xolile Khumalo🇿🇦🇰🇷 – Xolile Khumalo🇿🇦🇰🇷

@thembz.z

Other governments are sending busses to take their citizens to countries that are operating flights. South African government hasn’t done ANYTHING. #qatar #SouthAfrica #DIRCO

♬ original sound – Thembz.z – Thembz.z

Escalating fighting in the Middle East could see South Africans paying more at the pumps as global oil markets continue to surge.

For the first time since 2022, a barrel of Brent crude oil has climbed above $100. This comes as motorists have already faced a hike in fuel prices this month.

The Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route, has become a growing concern for the international community.

As the fighting continues with no end in sight, US President Donald Trump has criticised Motjaba Khamenei’s rise to power following the assassination of his father.

Khamenei, known for his close ties to Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, had long been seen as a potential successor.