State Dept boosts Middle East flights to bring Americans home

The State Department said it is increasing charter flights across the Middle East to help US citizens return home. A Department of State post noted that "a Department of State charter flight of American citizens departed the Middle East in route to the United States" and that "additional flights will be surged across the region." The post did not identify the country the flight departed from, and accompanying photos showed embassy banners with the country name blurred.

US embassies in the region have shifted their guidance. Where several missions had earlier urged Americans to leave by commercial means and said they could not assist, recent notices now tell US citizens the government is prepared to help. The embassy in Jerusalem said the US government is "ready to help Americans leave the Middle East if you choose to take advantage of the options available." A Kuwait security alert conveyed a similar message.

The embassies have pointed Americans to a crisis intake form that includes an option reading, "I am seeking U.S.

Kuwait, Jerusalem

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