Hundreds of Canadians have fled Middle East but thousands more remain: officials

Hundreds of Canadians and permanent residents have fled the Middle East as the war between Israel and Iran continues to escalate — but officials estimate there are thousands still in the region.

Roughly 6,000 Canadians and permanent residents are in Israel and the West Bank, officials with Global Affairs Canada (GAC) told journalists during a background briefing on Monday. Another 5,500 are estimated to be in Iran.

The officials didn't give a specific number, but said "hundreds" have left the region and that the government plans to assist those seeking to leave. They said the situation remains highly volatile and it is difficult to get a grasp of the exact number of Canadians who have left each part of the region. They said some have left of their own volition without necessarily notifying the federal government.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand announced last Thursday that the federal government was organizing commercial flights out of neighbouring countries, as the airspace in both Iran and Israel has been closed.

More than 60 Canadians left Israel and the West Bank via government-arranged buses and were transported to Amman, Jordan, officials said. Roughly 100 more are expected to leave Tuesday with a flight booked from Aqaba, Jordan, to Athens. Officials said there are likely more Canadians who have left by other means.

There is limited assistance that the government can provide to those in Iran, as Canada doesn't have a diplomatic presence in the country.

But GAC officials said there is a diplomatic presence at border crossings in Turkey and Armenia to help with transportation and accommodation options for Canadians and permanent residents leaving Iran.

There has also been a Canadian diplomatic station set up at the Iranian border with Azerbaijan. Even though the Astara crossing point has been closed for four years, GAC officials said Canadian diplomats have been able to assist with visa applications at that crossing, and that Azerbaijani officials have allowed roughly 100 Canadians to cross.