Successful Rescue Operation in the Middle East

The Hungarian Defence Forces sent flights to four countries within six days

Text: defence.hu | Photo: Gábor Kormány, Ákos Pintér, HDF 101st Aviation Wing | 13:58 March 10, 2026

The Hungarian Defence Forces have already transported more than 480 people – including 385 Hungarian citizens – to Budapest from the war-stricken Middle East. The Hungarian Air Force helped with eight rescue flights to those stuck in the region of Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Oman between 4 and 9 March. The successful operation is the result of the effective cooperation among numerous units.

The first rescuing Airbus A319 passenger jet of the HDF 101st Aviation Wing took off in Kecskemét early on Wednesday, 4 March. The destination was the Jordan capital, which is more than 2000 km away. The majority of the passengers arriving home from Amman in the early evening that day had been in Israel before. They got to the neighbouring Jordan from there, because due to the complete airspace lock, they could leave Israel only on land.

On Thursday, 5 March, another Hungarian Airbus A319 went to Amman. One day later, the HDF transported Hungarian and foreign citizens to Budapest from the city of Sharm El Sheikh on the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, during Operation Sand Rose.

On Saturday, 7 March, Riyadh was the next, which is 3500 km from Hungary. Two aircraft arrived in the capital of Saudi Arabia from Hungary that day to bring home citizens asking for consular protection. On Sunday, 8 March, an aircraft returned to Riyadh, and on Monday, 9 March, the Hungarian soldiers arrived in Oman, the fourth country within six days, this time, with two aircraft.

The personnel of the Kecskemét-based aviation wing carried out their air rescue tasks with special attention and rapidity, from planning the flight to preparing the aircraft. However, the successful execution also required the constant and harmonised activity of several fields of expertise.

Soldiers of the HDF Special Operations Command participated in planning and securing the operation.

The HDF Medical Centre provides professional medical care on board the Airbus A319 aircraft flying to the Middle East, if needed.

The rescue operation going on since 4 March has proved again that today’s modern Hungarian Defence Forces have such reconnaissance, operational, air transport and military-medical capabilities that enable them to help Hungarian citizens in need anywhere in the world. Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky expressed his thanks for the service and performance of the Hungarian soldiers on his social media page, together with the activity of the workers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.