The Iraqi embassy in Ankara evacuates (42) Iraqi citizens through Gaziantep Airport

INA-  Baghdad

The Iraqi Embassy in Ankara announced Thursday the evacuation of 42 Iraqi citizens through Gaziantep Airport, while calling on those wishing to return to send their names and photocopies of their passports (if any) to the designated mobile number in order to book another flight for their return.

The embassy said in a statement, received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "based on the directive of the Prime Minister, Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani, to the Special Crisis Cell formed under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fouad Hussein, and the membership of both the Undersecretary for Administrative and Technical Affairs, and the head of the department of 
neighboring countries and the head of the Arab department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Iraqi embassy in Ankara, in coordination with the Consulate General in Gaziantep, managed to evacuate (42) Iraqi citizens from the areas hit by the devastating earthquake.

The embassy added, "The flight set off at 3:00 am today, Thursday, through Gaziantep Airport, towards Baghdad International Airport."

 The embassy confirmed, "It is following up directly, with the Turkish authorities through the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to check on the conditions of the Iraqi community in the affected areas and to provide them with logistical support, and to ensure their safety and their safe return to the homeland."

It called on those present in the areas affected by the earthquake and those wishing to return voluntarily to Iraq to "send their names and photocopies of their passports (if any) to the mobile number listed below, in order to allocate another flight for their return."

 Emergency phone number / 05368787900