South African Families Fear Missile Threats in UAE

South African outlets focus on expats in the UAE and wider Middle East describing nights of bombing, missile alerts and fear for their children. They report that some repatriation and commercial flights are leaving, but many South Africans remain stuck, refreshing booking sites and pleading with airlines and their government for help. They expect Pretoria to face rising pressure to arrange more evacuation flights and clearer guidance for citizens in the region.

• •South Africans living in Gulf countries report hearing airstrikes and seeing missile defence interceptions at night.
• •Families in South Africa describe the situation as a nightmare as they struggle to contact relatives in the Middle East.
• •Limited flights out of the region have allowed some South Africans to return, but seats are scarce and expensive.
• •South African travellers recount sleepless nights in Gulf hotels and airports while waiting for safe routes home.
• •Local commentators say the South African government will need to expand consular support and evacuation planning.