Beirut

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma) — The federal government has launched an urgent evacuation operation to assist hundreds of Canadians stranded in the Middle East as the regional conflict intensifies. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand confirmed on Friday, March 6, 2026, that Ottawa has secured transportation for an initial group of 530 citizens, marking a significant escalation in Canada’s consular response to the ongoing war involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. The evacuation plan includes a specifically chartered flight scheduled to depart from Dubai to Istanbul on Saturday, carrying 180 Canadians. Additionally, the government has reserved approximately 350 seats on various…