Malaysia: Malaysia on Tuesday launched an evacuation operation for Malaysians from the West Asia conflict zone by dispatching a specially chartered Malaysia Airlines aircraft to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The aircraft, which left Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 4.10 pm, is scheduled to land in Jeddah at 8.50 pm (local time) and is set to return to Malaysia at 10.20 pm.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the flight includes a reporter and photographer from the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) and a cameraman from Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM). The mission is expected to arrive at KLIA at noon tomorrow, bringing home a group of Malaysians who were previously stranded in locations such as Syria, Jordan, and Qatar.

The group likely includes individuals relocated to Jeddah to board the return flight, along with five Thai nationals who are family members of affected Malaysians. The first mission is estimated to carry around 200 passengers, including students, travelers, and umrah pilgrims, though the final count will be confirmed at the location.

The operation follows instructions from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who ordered immediate implementation of all necessary measures to ensure the safety and welfare of Malaysians in the affected regions. The National Security Council (NSC) is coordinating the operation in collaboration with the Foreign Ministry and Malaysia's diplomatic missions in the relevant countries.

Tensions in West Asia have risen since February 28, following attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran, which led to retaliatory strikes by Tehran against US interests in Gulf states.