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Jamaicans trapped in the Middle East gripped by fear

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Nakinskie Robinson reports
 
Even as a fragile ceasefire holds in the conflict between Israel and Iran, a group of Jamaicans trapped in the Middle East are gripped by fear. 
 
The group of some 70 people is stationed near the eastern cities of Al-Jubail and Ras Al-Khair in Saudi Arabia. 
 
The situation bears striking similarities to Jamaicans in Ukraine, who were exposed to the start of the conflict with Russia in 2022. Scores of Jamaican students were stuck in Ukraine as Russia pursued its bombardment for months. 
 
With Saudi Arabia neighbouring the warring nations, air assaults have echoed overhead, borders have been tightened, and safe routes are disappearing by the hour. 
 
The group of Jamaicans have been employed to Maaden Aluminum Company in Saudi Arabia since 2014. 
 
It's understood that movement at the nearest Saudi Arabian airspace in Dammam has been halted, forcing the Jamaicans to remain grounded in hopes that the fragile ceasefire agreement brokered by the US will yield serious results. 
 
A senior White House official said US President Donald Trump brokered the deal with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other administration officials were in touch with Iranians. 
 
With no direct consulate to Jamaica, the workers fear further escalation. Meanwhile, Jamaicans in nearby Qatar are also fearful. 
 
Radio Jamaica News has contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a response on possible government assistance with evacuation for Jamaicans in the Middle East who require support. 
 
A response, however, was not forthcoming up to news time.
 
Israel launched the surprise air attack on June 13, hitting Iranian nuclear sites, where it said Iran was trying to develop an atomic bomb. 
 
The strike killed top military commanders in the worst blow to the Islamic Republic since the 1980s war with Iraq. 
 
Retaliatory missile strikes have killed 28 people in Israel - the first time large numbers of Iranian missiles have penetrated its air defences.
 


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