SDF Planes Depart Japan for Djibouti Amid Escalating Mideast Tensions

Two Self-Defense Forces planes have departed Japan for Djibouti, standing by for a potential evacuation of Japanese nationals from the Middle East due to escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. The planes carry 120 personnel and are currently without specific airlift plans as major airports remain closed. Japan’s travel alert for Iran is now at its highest level, advising citizens to evacuate.

Two Self-Defense Forces (SDF) planes left Japan on Saturday, bound for Djibouti in eastern Africa. Their mission? To prepare for a potential evacuation of Japanese citizens amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly concerning Israel and Iran. According to Japan’s Defense Ministry, these C-2 transport planes departed from Miho Air Base in Tottori Prefecture with a crew of about 120 personnel.

Currently, the SDF planes are on standby at a Djibouti base, though there are no concrete plans for airlifts just yet since the primary airports in Israel and Iran are closed. This situation arises after increased hostilities between the two nations, stemming from Israeli airstrikes on Iran that occurred on June 13. Following these events, U.S. President Donald Trump made comments indicating military options might be considered to put pressure on Iran to cease its nuclear ambitions.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry reported that on Friday, they successfully evacuated 87 Japanese nationals along with their families. Out of this group, 66 were transferred from Iran to Azerbaijan, while the remaining 21 traveled from Israel to Jordan via government-arranged buses. Before these evacuations, there were approximately 280 Japanese citizens in Iran and about 1,000 in Israel.

Recognizing the threats, on Tuesday, Japan elevated its travel advisory for Iran to Level 4, which instructs nationals to “evacuate and avoid all travel.” In contrast, the advisory for Israel remains at Level 3, urging individuals to “avoid all travel” in the region. Authorities are keeping a close watch on the developments, and support measures are in place for those affected.

As tensions rise in the Middle East, Japan’s government is taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of its citizens. The deployment of Self-Defense Forces planes highlights the urgency of the situation, especially given the travel advisories now in effect. With airlifts on standby, the focus remains on relocating Japanese nationals from volatile regions as the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to escalate.

Original Source: english.kyodonews.net