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Australian Defence Force personnel have been confirmed as safe and accounted for after Iranian drone and missile strikes on Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates.
More than 100 Australian personnel are reportedly deployed across the Middle East, including those at operational headquarters in Al Minhad.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, speaking to media at Parliament House on March 3, confirmed there has been no injuries to Australian personnel.
“On the first night there was a strike at the Al Minhad Air Base, but all the Australians who are there are safe and accounted for. There were no injuries to Australians,” he said.
“We’ve got more than 100 personnel, actually, across the Middle East. Most of them are in the UAE where we've had an operational headquarters at Al Minhad for many, many years now. But they are all safe and accounted for.”
Iranian missile and drone strikes on civilian infrastructure and military bases has been widely condemned by the governments of the United Arab Emirates, the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the State of Kuwait, and the United States.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister Marles confirmed that Australia is evaluating contingency plans to assist stranded citizens caught in the attacks.
“We’re working through contingencies… We have all the scenarios in mind and we are preparing as best we can for them. But I'd also make the point there's 115,000 Australians across the region,” he said.
“The most significant limitation on being able to do anything is the restriction of airspace. And when airspace begins to open up, our expectation is that the quickest flights that will resume will be commercial options.
“Our focus is making sure that we are getting information through to people as quickly as we can (through Smart Traveller)… It is a trusted source of information, and we would encourage people in the region to follow that.”
