Government warns 20,000 Irish citizens in Middle East against perilous land escape routes

Residents watch as the flames and a black plume of smoke rises from a warehouse at the industrial area of Sharjah City in the United Arab Emirates following reports of Iranian strikes in Dubai on Sunday. Picture: Altaf Qadri/AP

The estimated 20,000 Irish people in the Middle East are being urged against taking perilous land journeys to escape the escalating conflict engulfing the region.

The Irish Government is urging citizens to take “shelter” and to register with local embassies, or on a special consular helpline, in the event of evacuations.