When Borders Matter: Delivering a Complex Gulf Evacuation During Rapidly Escalating Conflict

On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes against Iran as part of "Operation Epic Fury." Iran retaliated immediately, launching missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Airspace across the Gulf region closed or operated under severe restrictions. Flight corridors were suspended and rerouted, and airlines canceled flights or reduced capacity.  

A multinational technology provider with employees in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Ras Laffan turned to Crisis24 for immediate support. This included guidance on shelter-in-place protocols and a plan to evacuate their people via secure ground transport to temporary safe havens in neighboring countries, with onward travel home when conditions permitted.

The 31 personnel were divided into two groups based on location: 19 from the UAE and 12 from Qatar. Crisis24 conducted a comprehensive assessment before any vehicles moved: Which routes had stable security conditions? Which areas were too close to strategic military targets? Which border crossings remained operational? Where could travelers stay temporarily?  

It was determined that Oman and Saudi Arabia offered the most secure passage for ground routes, providing a lower overall security risk and more stable airspace. Routes were selected based on real-time insights from the Crisis24 operational intelligence team and on-the-ground sources, and accommodations and onward transport were secured well in advance of any movement.

The UAE evacuation group comprised nineteen people ranging from 2 to 60 years of age. Dedicated points of contact were appointed for each vehicle, with group leaders coordinating the move and assessing all requirements, such as acquiring a car seat for the infant.  

Crisis24 delivered clear guidance throughout, including pick-up procedures, border crossing protocols, and what to expect at each stage. Close Protection Officers (CPOs) accompanied the multi-vehicle convoy during the secure ground move from Abu Dhabi and Dubai via the Hatta border crossing to Muscat, Oman. Crisis24 also arranged for accommodation in Muscat for the night, and transport to the airport and a charter flight to Athens, Greece, the following day. The client handled onward commercial flights from Athens to all home destinations. 

The Qatar group presented additional coordination challenges. Twelve individuals were distributed between Doha and Ras Laffan, with each location subject to distinct visa and permit requirements for entry. The compressed preparation timeline and regulatory constraints meant evacuation could not proceed as a single operation. Instead, the team structured the effort as a series of consecutive movements, ensuring each group cleared necessary checkpoints before the next phase began.

Crisis24 supported each person with visa and permit guidance, coordinating individual departures as requirements aligned. Over four consecutive days, using secure transport and CPOs, four separate ground moves were executed from various locations in Qatar, crossing to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia via the Salwa border. Accommodation was arranged in Riyadh for each group. Crisis24 also provided secure transport to the airport for commercial flights to home destinations.  

Crisis24 successfully evacuated all 31 travelers from active conflict zones in the UAE and Qatar. Although client personnel were scattered across multiple locations in both nations, the team executed seamless cross-border ground movements into Oman and Saudi Arabia. Through careful coordination of country border logistics and assessment of shifting security conditions, Crisis24 ensured every individual reached their home destination as quickly and safely as possible.

Learn more about our global security assistance solutions.