Bulgaria Evacuates Citizens from Middle East, Downplays Direct Threat Amidst Regional Tensions

Bulgaria is actively working to evacuate its citizens from the Middle East as tensions escalate, although maintaining that the country does not face a direct military threat. Prime Minister Andrei Gyurov has provided updates on evacuation efforts and addressed concerns regarding the presence of U.S. Aircraft at Sofia Airport.

Evacuation Efforts Underway

As of March 6, 2026, over 900 Bulgarian citizens have been evacuated from Iran, Israel, and other affected areas. Evacuation efforts have been coordinated through various routes and with the assistance of allied countries.

• UAE Airspace: UAE airspace has reopened for civilian flights, facilitating the departure of Bulgarian citizens.
• Flights from Abu Dhabi & Dubai: Flights from Abu Dhabi and Dubai have brought back 85, 326, and 180 people, respectively. A further flight from Dubai with 326 people is scheduled to arrive on March 7.
• Flights from Salalah & Oman: A Bulgaria Air flight from Salalah, Oman, landed with 111 people on March 5. Seven additional citizens were evacuated via individual routes.
• Evacuations via Austria: Twenty-one people were evacuated from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar on an Austrian flight via Vienna.
• Assistance from EU Partners: Fourteen people were evacuated from Israel with the help of another European Union country, traveling by land to Sharm el-Sheikh airport.
• Kuwait & Qatar: While Kuwait’s airspace remains closed, plans are in place to transport 11 Bulgarian citizens to Riyadh for commercial flights. Efforts continue to evacuate citizens from Qatar, potentially via land routes through Saudi Arabia.
• Tehran Embassy Staff: The Bulgarian embassy staff in Tehran, consisting of ten people (six employees and four family members), evacuated Iran by land and have crossed the border into Azerbaijan, experiencing some delays due to strikes.
• Jordan & Iraq: 130 Bulgarian tourists received assistance to leave Jordan, and 20 people were evacuated from Iraq via land routes through Turkey and Jordan.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the priority is the safe return of Bulgarian citizens, with discussions regarding flight costs and tour operator responsibilities to follow.

U.S. Aircraft Presence in Sofia

American aircraft have been stationed at Sofia Airport since February 19, a decision made by the previous government of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov on February 17-18. Gyurov stated that the presence of these aircraft is a protective measure ensuring the security of Bulgarian citizens. He is currently exploring options for relocating the planes from the civilian airport.

Bulgaria’s Security Stance

Despite the escalating tensions in the Middle East, Prime Minister Gyurov has repeatedly assured the public that Bulgaria is not directly threatened and is not participating in military actions. He highlighted the effectiveness of NATO’s missile defense system, which successfully intercepted a ballistic missile launched towards Turkey.

Gyurov urged citizens to rely on official sources for information and avoid spreading disinformation, particularly during the election period. He also instructed security ministers to communicate openly and transparently with the public.

Defense Ministry Assessment

The Defense Ministry conducted a reassessment of risks and threats to Bulgaria following Iran’s launch of a missile against Türkiye on March 4. A report analyzing the risks facing the country was submitted to Prime Minister Gyurov on March 5.

Recent Security Council Meetings

The government security council has convened twice recently, on February 28 and March 5, to address the evolving situation in the Middle East. The message from both meetings has been consistent: Bulgaria is not currently threatened, but remains prepared to defend itself if the situation escalates.