New Zealand deploys two defence planes to the Middle East in preparation for evacuations

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DUBAI, March 4 (Reuters) - The New Zealand government said on Wednesday that it would send two Defence Force C-130J ​Hercules aircraft to the Middle East in case ‌they were needed for evacuating New Zealanders from the region.

New Zealanders are among the tens of thousands of travellers across ​the Middle East, who have become stranded after escalating ​conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran disrupted flights ⁠worldwide and forced the closure of major airports including ​Dubai, the world’s busiest international hub.

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The government said there ​were currently around 3000 New Zealanders registered as living in the Middle East.

“The events in the Middle East are fast-moving, dangerous ​and complex - and our primary focus is on ​assisting New Zealanders in the region to the extent possible in ‌this ⁠very challenging security environment,” Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement.

He added that sending two planes along with consular staff was so “they can be ready when ​conditions allow to ​assist with ⁠any civilian evacuation operations.”

Peters added that with airspace closed and most commercial flights ​not operating, the government continues to recommend ​that New ⁠Zealanders shelter in place - or take any safe and practical opportunities that are available to leave the region.

The ⁠statement ​said that decisions on where the ​consular response team and the two Hercules would be deployed were still ​being made.

Reporting by Lucy Craymer; Editing by Toby Chopra

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