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Nepali Migrant Workers Left Stranded As Middle East Nations Halt Flight Following US-Israel Attack On Iran

Baggage of stranded Nepali migrant workers lies on the ground as they await news from airline companies at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, on March 1, 2026, following the closure of airspace by Middle Eastern nations due to heightened tension between Israel and Iran. Israel launches a series of attacks on Iran, and Iran takes retaliatory measures on February 28, 2026, followed by attacks on other US-backed countries in the Middle East, prompting the closure of airspace. This raises concerns for the safety and security of over 1.7 million Nepali nationals living and working across the region. Those who come to Kathmandu to fly there are now at a crossroads of confusion. According to the latest data from the Government of Nepal and various migration agencies, among the six major Gulf countries, the UAE hosts the largest number of Nepali, more than 600,000. Qatar is estimated to have around 500,000 Nepali workers. Saudi Arabia is home to approximately 450,000, Kuwait around 120,000, and Bahrain and Oman more than 50,000 each. In addition, about 5,000 Nepali are working in Israel, mainly in caregiving and agriculture. The Gulf countries are key destinations for foreign employment for Nepali workers. (Photo by Subaas Shrestha/NurPhoto)

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