Hundreds of South Africans stranded in Dubai after airspace was temporarily closed due to recent bombardments have begun returning home, though many remain as not all airlines have resumed operations. The UAE’s airspace was temporarily shut down following heavy bombardment reportedly from Iran, in retaliation for missile attacks by the US and Israel.
South Africans Return Home Amidst Ongoing Gulf Tensions
As of yesterday, hundreds of South Africans who were stranded in Dubai when bombing began last weekend had returned home after the UAE partially reopened its airspace. However, many more are still attempting to secure flights as not all airlines have resumed operations.
Emirates airline has been running three daily flights to South Africa since Wednesday, despite a temporary suspension of flights yesterday after Dubai International Airport was bombed.
DJ and socialite Eva Modika, who was booked on Qatar Airways, was still in Dubai yesterday seeking “the first available flight to South Africa.” Her return flight had been scheduled for Tuesday. Modika had been scheduled to perform in Dubai last Sunday – her birthday – but events were cancelled following the commencement of the bombing.
I am very calm right now. What the government here is doing to make sure everyone is calm is working
— Eva Modika, DJ and socialite
Modika initially expressed fear but later noted the effectiveness of the UAE’s air-defense systems. “The whole drama happened on Saturday when they bombed the Fairmont at The Palm while I was with my friend at the Casablanca, also at The Palm,” she said. She shared her experience on Instagram, prompting contact from the South African government.
The Dubai government is reportedly providing accommodation in hotels at its own expense for tourists with valid plane tickets. Modika stated that flights are now available on a first-come, first-served basis, with a significant backlog of travellers.
Approximately 8,000 South Africans in Gulf states have registered on the Department of International Relations & Co-operation (Dirco) Travel Smart app since hostilities began, according to Dirco spokesperson Clayson Monyela.
It’s not easy. It’s an ongoing project, as it’s a moving target. One minute airspace is partially reopened, the next minute an attack like the one at Dubai Airport takes place and it gets closed again.
— Clayson Monyela, Dirco spokesperson
Hundreds of South Africans have returned home since Wednesday, many of whom were in transit through Dubai. Dirco is in discussions with both Emirates and South African Airways regarding flights out of Dubai. The department anticipates flights will be back to 100% operations in the coming days.
Those registered on the department’s database are receiving regular updates on flight availability, particularly from Dubai. In Bahrain, most of the over 1,000 known South Africans are residents and workers, not holidaymakers.
Three South Africans in Tel Aviv have contacted the department expressing safety concerns and have been advised to cross into Jordan and then Egypt for a safe return home.
Israel and Iran traded attacks as the conflict entered its second week yesterday, while Tehran issued an apology to neighbouring states for its “actions,” apparently seeking to calm regional anger over its strikes on civilian targets in the Gulf.
“I personally apologise to neighbouring countries that were affected by Iran’s actions,” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said, urging them not to join US-Israeli attacks on Iran.
Pezeshkian dismissed US President Donald Trump’s demand for Iran’s unconditional surrender as “a dream,” but stated Iran’s temporary leadership council had agreed to suspend attacks on nearby states unless strikes originated from their territory.
Trump characterised Iran’s apology as a surrender, while stating that the country would be “hit very hard”.
Pezeshkian’s comments sparked political debate in Iran, with hardline cleric and lawmaker Hamid Rasai criticizing his stance as “unprofessional, weak and unacceptable.”
Hours after Pezeshkian’s announcement, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed their drones had struck a US air combat centre at Al Dhafra Air Base near Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE. Reuters could not independently verify this report.
Huge explosions were reported in several parts of the Iranian capital, according to state media.
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