Australia urges diplomats' families to evacuate UAE

CANBERRA -- The Australian government has ordered the evacuation of the family members of diplomats based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

In a statement posted on social media platform X late on Sunday night, Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said that the government has directed the departure of dependents of Australian officials posted to the UAE due to the "deteriorating security situation."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE said on Sunday that infrastructure and civilian sites across the country have been targeted by more than 1,400 ballistic missiles and drones launched by Iran, resulting in civilian deaths and injuries.

Wong said on Sunday that the government is working to help Australians leave the country after advising all citizens to do so on Feb 28.

The government said at the start of March that there were around 24,000 Australian citizens in the UAE and around 115,000 in the Middle East.