Australia issues urgent warning against Middle East transit amid intensifying conflict

Australian authorities have issued a stark warning urging citizens to avoid transiting through the Middle East, cautioning that even those merely passing through the region for connecting flights may find themselves unable to depart as conflict continues to escalate.
The Australian government's official travel advisory platform, Smartraveller, updated its guidance on March 18 to explicitly state that "do not travel" advice applies to transit and layover passengers. "Even if you don't plan to leave the airport, if you travel to or transit through Qatar, you may be unable to leave. Your safety will be at risk," the statement read.
The warning is particularly significant for travellers using Doha, the Qatari capital and a major international hub popular among Australians flying to European destinations. The advisory now applies to most Middle Eastern nations, with the notable exceptions of Saudi Arabia and Oman, which carry a level three warning advising travellers to "reconsider your need to travel."
The heightened alert follows declarations from Israeli military officials that operations are expected to continue for an extended period. Israeli Defence Forces Spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin stated that the military is "identifying new targets every day" and has planned for at least another three weeks of attacks, with preparations extending beyond that timeframe. This timeline surpasses earlier projections by US President Donald Trump, who had indicated a one-week duration for the conflict.
Since limited flight operations resumed on March 4, more than 5,000 Australians have successfully departed the conflict zone. Additional direct flights are scheduled to arrive in Australia on Monday from Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi, providing further opportunities for those seeking to leave the region.
Australian authorities continue to urge citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to the area and to seek alternative routing if planning international journeys, emphasising that the situation remains highly volatile with no immediate resolution in sight.