Ottawa warns Canadians in Qatar and Bahrain to beware of missile debris

Canada has updated its travel advice for Canadians visiting Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Iraq – countries where U.S. bases are located – warning them to exercise a high degree of caution because of the conflict in the Middle East.

On Monday, Iran launched missile strikes on the U.S. Al-Udeid Base, near Doha, Qatar, in retaliation for U.S. strikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran on the weekend.

Ottawa issued warnings to Canadians visiting Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain to watch out for falling military debris and is advising Canadians not to visit Iraq, which neighbours Iran.

Global Affairs’ updated travel advisory warned Canadians in Qatar to “shelter in place when air raid sirens are active.”

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It said the “security situation in the region could deteriorate significantly without notice.”

The updates were issued before President Donald Trump posted on social media on Monday evening that Israel and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire.

It was uncertain on Monday evening, however, whether a ceasefire would hold.

Earlier Monday, Global Affairs updated its advice for Canadians in Kuwait, warning that “missiles, drones and other projectiles have struck targets in the region.”

It warned that “the security situation could deteriorate significantly without notice.”

And it urged Canadians in Kuwait, where there are several U.S. bases, to “be particularly vigilant near military installations.”

“Military debris has fallen in various locations. There have been disruptions to movement and transportation, including border closures or restrictions,” it added, as well as flight cancellations.

Kuwait closed its airspace on Monday, after Iran’s missile strike on Qatar.

The travel advice warned Canadians to “exercise a high degree of caution in Kuwait due to ongoing hostilities in the region and the threat of terrorism.”

On Monday the Canadian government chartered buses to evacuate some of the 6,000 Canadians registered in Israel. Canadians fleeing Israel were being bused out of the country to catch a charter flight from Aqaba in Jordan onto Athens.

The government faced criticism last week that it was not doing enough to help Canadians in Israel, who were advised to try to cross a border out of Israel and get to an airport. Canada would then help book seats on flights.

In a post on social media, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said on Monday morning 55 Canadians boarded buses arranged by the government from Tel Aviv in Israel to Jordan. Seven of the 400 Canadians registered in the West Bank also boarded a bus to Jordan.

Israel began allowing flights out of the country so that stranded tourists can leave on Sunday.

In a briefing for journalists, Global Affairs officials said helping Canadians in Iran was more challenging because Canada has no embassy there.

Internet access is currently limited in Iran, so Global Affairs is sending text messages as well as e-mails with updates to 5,500 Canadians registered there.

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The advice includes which border crossings to use to get to Turkey, Armenia or Azerbaijan, countries where Canadian consular officials are now based at the borders to help Canadians crossing from Iran find onward transport, including flights and accommodation.

Ms. Anand said in her post that on Sunday 10 Canadians who left Iran across the border with Turkey have boarded buses the government has chartered to get them to airports.

The government is concerned about misinformation on social media that some of the borders are closing. It has urged Canadians abroad to use only official government channels for updates.

Fen Osler Hampson, professor of international affairs at Carleton University and president of the World Refugee and Migration Council, said there is a risk that neighbouring countries to Iran could close their borders if they face a big influx of refugees.

“Turkey has had a major influx of Syrian refugees, and they’re not going to look very kindly on having millions more. Iran is a very big country – 92 million. It dwarfs Syria, Iraq.”

“There is a very large Iranian diaspora in Canada. They’re going to be doing everything they can to bring their families, friends,” he added. “There’s obviously deep pressure here at a time when we’re basically restricting asylum, refugee and immigration applications to Canada.”