Iran Conflict: EU Warns of 2015-Style Refugee Crisis & Azerbaijan Closes Airspace

Newsblog zum Krieg in Nahost

Iran-Flüchtlinge: EU warnt vor Zuständen wie 2015

London erhöht seine Militärpräsenz am Golf. Aserbaidschan sperrt vorerst seinen Luftraum. Die EU warnt vor einer neuen Fluchtbewegung. Alle Entwicklungen im Newsblog.

The European Union is warning of a potential surge in refugees as regional instability grows, particularly concerning Iran and its neighbors. According to an internal report obtained by the German magazines “Spiegel” and Report aus Mainz, the EU Commission believes that a sustained crisis could trigger a humanitarian crisis and migration patterns similar to those seen in 2015.

Even as concrete numbers regarding potential refugee flows are currently unavailable, the EU report notes observed movements toward rural areas and coastal regions. Of particular concern is the situation of approximately 2.5 million Afghans currently residing in Iran, who could seek refuge in neighboring countries should the situation in Iran continue to deteriorate.

The Turkish government is reportedly “concerned” about potentially receiving a large influx of refugees, and is considering establishing “buffer zones” and a tent city capable of accommodating up to 90,000 people, according to a statement from the Turkish Interior Minister on Wednesday.

The United States has requested assistance from Ukraine in defending against Iranian drones, according to statements from Kyiv. “We have received a request from the United States to provide specific support in the Middle East to protect against ‘Shahed’,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X on Thursday, referring to the Iranian-made combat drones. He stated he had ordered the provision of “necessary resources” and “Ukrainian specialists” to assist.

Citizens returning from the Gulf region will likely be responsible for covering the costs of their return flights, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Read the full article here.

Following the impact of two drones launched from Iran in Azerbaijan, Baku’s leadership has threatened retaliation. Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, accused Tehran on Thursday of a “terrorist” drone attack on an airport and near a school. The country simultaneously announced the closure of its southern airspace for a period of twelve hours.

Turkey, an ally of Azerbaijan, strongly condemned the attack on Azerbaijan. Tehran denied the attack and, in turn, accused Israel. However, Israel is widely reported to be a weapons supplier to Azerbaijan.