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Updates since Sunday morning
- All six Qatar Airways flights scheduled for Sunday landed safely in Doha, with the country’s airspace remaining partially closed.
- Qatar residents experienced a calm Sunday morning, nine days after Iran began its retaliatory attacks on the region.
- Qatar Airways announced limited flights to and from Doha for March 9 to 11.
- Thirty percent of government employees will return to their offices from Monday, March 9, while up to 70 percent continue working remotely until further notice.
- Bahrain’s Interior Ministry confirmed that an Iranian drone attack on a water desalination plant caused material damage.
- Embassies of Spain, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, Argentina, Mexico, Australia, and Poland have issued guidance or facilitated repatriation efforts for their nationals stranded in Qatar amid the regional conflict.
- French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed his nation’s solidarity with Qatar in call with Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Nordic embassies in Doha arrange transport for Qatar departure via Saudi Arabia
The Embassy of Sweden in Doha, alongside the Embassy of Finland in Doha, together with Denmark, Iceland, and Norway, arranged transport from Doha to Riyadh for travellers seeking to depart Qatar.
Additionally, the Danish embassy in Doha organised a bus trip that departed on Sunday.
Embassy staff and crisis officers accompanied passengers to the Saudi border, where they were received by colleagues from the Embassy of Sweden in Riyadh to assist with onward travel.
Nordic missions also thanked Qatari authorities and partners, including Stopover Qatar, for their support and cooperation.
Pakistan embassy in Doha facilitates the departure of 1,400 nations stranded in Qatar
The Embassy of Pakistan in Doha is supporting about 1,400 Pakistani nationals stranded in Doha after regional airspace closures disrupted travel across the Gulf.
In a statement, the embassy said it was working with Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Qatar Airways.
The embassy also established a facilitation desk at the Hamad International Airport and assisted passengers continue their journeys via land crossings into Saudi Arabia.
The embassy said in a statement that 339 Pakistani citizens remain stranded, with embassy teams visiting hotels to provide food, medicine and guidance. The embassy is also coordinating with Pakistan’s mission in Saudi Arabia to secure visas for onward travel while operating a 24/7 helpline and online registration portal to assist affected nationals.
Qatar’s Amir receives a written message from UK King Charles III
British Ambassador to Qatar Neerav Patel delivered a written message from the United Kingdom’s King Charles III to Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi. The message, addressed to Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, expressed the UK’s solidarity with Qatar following recent Iranian attacks and reaffirmed support for Qatar’s sovereignty and security.
Qatar’s PM-FM describes “big sense of betrayal” by Iranian attacks on Doha
In an interview with Sky News, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said that Doha felt a “big sense of betrayal” following Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Qatar and other Gulf states.
“ We never expected this to come to us from our neighbour. We were always building this relationship, in preserving the good neighbourhood, and a relationship in good faith with Iran,” Sheikh Mohammed said in a sit-down with Sky News Lead World News presenter Yalda Hakim in Doha.
“Unfortunately, there are some justifications and pretext that they’ve been using to justify these attacks on the State of Qatar and other countries, which is totally rejected,” he added.
Sheikh Mohammed also pointed to Iran’s first attack on the Al Udeid Airbase, the largest U.S. military installation in the region, that took place in June 2025.
“This is the second time. That’s why it’s also, like for us, something really significant to see this attack, which was shown that it was being pre-planned. Once the war [between the U.S., Israel and Iran] started, just maybe an hour after the start of the war, Qatar and other Gulf countries were being attacked right away.”
Qatar’s PM-FM also looked to the Gulf state’s previous support in finding diplomatic solutions between the U.S. and Iran.
“ We were helping Iran and United States in reaching diplomatic solutions. But this miscalculation by the Iranians to attack the Gulf countries has destroyed everything actually,” he said.
Watch: Australian government helps citizens leave Qatar
In coordination with the Australian government, the Austrian Embassy in Qatar has helped over 90 Australians depart Qatar by bus to Saudi Arabia.
Mexican Embassy in Qatar urges nationals to register on SIRME
Mexico’s embassy in Qatar is urging its citizens to register with the Sistema de Registro para Personas Mexicanas en el Exterior (SIRME) to receive timely updates and assistance.
Nationals are also advised to follow guidance from Qatari authorities and remain in safe locations. For emergencies, citizens can contact the embassy directly through the emergency line +974 3363 4450.
French president reaffirms solidarity in call with Qatar’s Amir
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, reiterating France’s “full solidarity” amid “unacceptable attacks.”
Macron praised Qatar’s armed forces, confirmed French defensive support in the region, and stressed the need to protect energy supplies and key shipping routes, while urging de-escalation and dialogue.
Turkish embassy in Doha arranges buses for citizens leaving Qatar via Riyadh
Türkiye’s ambassador to Qatar Dr. Mustafa Göksu met Turkish citizens departing Doha on buses organized by the embassy to Riyadh International Airport.
The transport was arranged for nationals wishing to leave Qatar, with embassy staff accompanying them during the journey.
Upon arrival in Riyadh, travelers will be received by officials from the Turkish embassy in Saudi Arabia.
Arab League holds extraordinary virtual session, condemns Iran attacks
Qatar joined an extraordinary Arab League ministerial session via video conference, led by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan Al Muraikhi.
The meeting addressed Iran’s attacks on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of several Arab nations, denouncing them as violations of international law and principles of good neighborliness, while emphasizing the serious risks they pose to regional security and stability.
Thai Embassy in Qatar to resume consular services from March 9
Thailand’s embassy in Doha announced that its consular section will resume limited services from March 9, operating Sunday to Thursday, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
The embassy also reported that 34 Thai nationals departed Qatar between March 5 and 8 on limited contingency flights. Thai citizens are urged to follow updates only from official sources. For more information, the embassy can be reached at +974 4493 4432.
Qatar Airways announced additional limited flights to and from Doha for March 10 and 11
Qatar Airways has released a limited flight schedule to and from Doha from March 9 to 11, while Qatari airspace remains temporarily closed due to the ongoing regional situation.
On March 9 and 10, flights departing from Doha will operate to destinations including Seoul, Moscow, London Heathrow, New Delhi, Madrid, Islamabad, Cairo, Jeddah, Manila, Kochi, Mumbai, Frankfurt, Milan, Colombo, Istanbul, Muscat, Beijing, Perth, and Nairobi.
Flights from these destinations will arrive in Doha on March 10 and 11, ensuring connectivity for affected passengers despite the temporary restrictions.
“Qatar Airways intends to operate the following flight schedule in the coming days to support passengers who have been affected due to the current disruption, and in helping them reunite with family and friends as quickly and safely as possible,” the airline said in a statement on X.
Ukraine to send experts to assist civilians and troops in the Middle East
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine will deploy experts to support civilians in the Middle East and American troops stationed in certain countries amid the war between Iran, the U.S. and Israel.
The Ukrainian president emphasized that the mission aims to provide immediate protection and aid while discussions continue to ensure effective cooperation.
“As of now it is too early to speak in detail. Next week, when the experts are on the ground, assess the situation and provide assistance – since they are coming with the capabilities to assist right away – we will proceed accordingly. Let us wait for the initial meetings,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X.
‘Violation of international law’: Switzerland slams U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran
Swiss Defence Minister Martin Pfister slammed the attacks on Iran by the U.S. and Israel on Sunday, saying they constitute “a violation of international law”.
“The Federal Council is of the opinion that the attack on Iran constitutes a violation of international law,” Pfister told SonntagsZeitung.
Spanish Embassy issues emergency contacts, urges nationals to follow official guidance
Spain’s Embassy in Qatar issued two 24/7 emergency consular numbers on March 8, urging Spanish nationals to follow official guidance from Qatari authorities and remain in safe locations.
The embassy said it is fully operational and in contact with Spain’s foreign ministry, Qatari authorities, and other embassies.
French ambassador voices solidarity with Qatar
France’s Ambassador to Qatar, Arnaud Pescheux, voiced his country’s support for the Gulf state in light of Iran’s attacks during. This came during his interview with French broadcaster, BFM TV, on Sunday.
“When Qatar is attacked, we stand by it and provide our support within the framework of defense agreements,” he told the broadcaster.
Kyrgyzstan evacuates stranded citizens from Doha
A total of 166 citizens from Kyrgyzstan in Doha departed to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for their flight back home on March 8, the Kyrgyz embassy said in a statement.
The citizens were on a cruise liner in the Port of Doha and others were tourists staying in hotels in Qatar.
Poland repatriates nationals stranded in Qatar on humanitarian flight
Polish nationals stranded in Qatar are returning home via a humanitarian flight arranged by Poland’s embassy, after Qatar’s airspace closure left travellers unable to depart amid the U.S.-Israel war on Iran.
The initiative includes dedicated assistance for those with special medical needs.
Iranian drone strike damages desalination plant in Bahrain
Bahrain’s Interior Ministry confirmed that an Iranian drone attack on a water desalination plant caused material damage on the site.
Qatar to return 30% of government employees to offices from Monday: Council of Ministers
Qatar’s General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers announced that 30 percent of government employees will return to their offices from Monday, March 9, while up to 70 percent continue working remotely until further notice.
The decision applies to all ministries, government bodies, and public institutions, with priority for remote work given to mothers and persons with disabilities. Employees in the military, security, and health sectors, as well as those whose duties require physical presence, are excluded from the measure.
Qatar Airways announced limited flights to Doha for March 9
Qatar Airways announced it will operate limited flights to Doha on Monday, March 9, for passengers travelling to Qatar as their final destination only.
The flights arriving at Hamad International Airport on the specified date include: Amsterdam (AMS), Berlin (BER), Frankfurt (FRA), London (LHR), Zurich (ZRH), and Muscat (MCT).
The airline noted the flights do not constitute a resumption of regular scheduled services.
All 6 Qatar Airways flights scheduled for Sunday land safely in Doha
All six Qatar Airways flights scheduled to land in Doha on Sunday arrived safely at Hamad International Airport between 4:00am and 6:00am GMT, according to the airport’s website.
The flights originated from London, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Frankfurt, and Bangkok, as Qatar Airways resumed limited operations following the partial reopening of the country’s airspace on March 7.
