Wednesday June 18, 2025
Ankara (HOL) – The Somali Embassy in Turkey has officially
urged Somali nationals currently in Iran to contact the embassy if they wish to
leave the country, amid escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the embassy stated, “The
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Somalia in Turkey informs Somali citizens in
Iran who wish to leave the country due to the ongoing fighting there to contact
the embassy for assistance in returning to their country safely. Mobile Number:
+90 534 593 3990.”
The call comes as Israel continues to launch repeated
airstrikes on Iranian territory, targeting civilian areas, hospitals, weapons
factories, and government infrastructure. The intensifying conflict has sparked
alarm among foreign nationals in Iran, including an estimated dozen Somali
citizens, composed mostly of students and businesspeople.
Somali nationals in Iran have voiced growing fears about
their safety. Ahmed Mahmoud Abdi, a Somali businessman based in Iran, told BBC
Somali that the airstrikes have visibly impacted daily life, prompting
discussions among the Somali community about potential evacuation.
“People are feeling the pressure. Unlike some places where
people flee immediately, here people are staying put, but there's clear
tension,” Ahmed said.
He confirmed that a Somali medical student studying at
Tehran University was injured during one of the Israeli strikes.
“He was hit in the head, but his condition is stable. I was
told he intended to travel to Azerbaijan, though his current status remains
unclear,” Ahmed added.
In response to the deteriorating situation, Somali nationals
in Iran have begun organizing consultations to determine whether to remain in
the country or leave. According to Ahmed, efforts are underway to gather the
community and coordinate a collective response to the unfolding crisis.
The embassy's appeal underscores Somalia’s growing concern
for the safety of its diaspora in conflict zones and its commitment to
facilitating their safe return.