Russia-Ukraine war: Thousands of Arab students stranded as bombs fall

Hundreds of scholars from the Center East and North Africa had been scrambling to discover a method out of Ukraine on Thursday morning as Russia invaded its neighbour.

However quickly after the beginning of the assault, which has already resulted in dozens of deaths and drawn worldwide condemnation, Ukraine shut down its airspace – stopping college students from leaving. 

‘Moroccan pals who’re in Ukraine proper now are very frightened and ready for the consulate to assist them’

– Amine Mouhcine, Moroccan pupil

Figures from the Ukraine training ministry present that Morocco has the second-largest overseas pupil contingent in Ukraine, with 8,000 college students. India has essentially the most.

Egypt has 3,500 college students in Ukraine, whereas Lebanese, Iraqis and Palestinians additionally attend Ukrainian universities.

Omar Bentabjaoute, a Moroccan pupil in Kharkiv, a Ukrainian metropolis bordering Russia the place explosions had been reported on Thursday, mentioned the environment there was chaotic. 

“It is panic exterior. Everyone seems to be working. Some persons are getting cash from banks. Others are dashing to get gasoline,” Bentajoute advised Center East Eye. 

“I used to be woken up by an explosion at 5.50AM, however for the final 5 hours, it has been quiet. Our water has been on and off, and we misplaced the web for a brief interval.”

Talking from a metro station in Kharkiv, which has since develop into a bomb shelter, one other Moroccan pupil mentioned the struggle was “surprising” and occurred “out of the blue.”

“It occurred very immediately. Nobody noticed the struggle coming,” mentioned Khalil. “Persons are panicking and scared for what’s going to occur subsequent. I’m panicking too. Let’s hope for one of the best,” Khalil advised MEE.  

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Earlier this week, Moroccan officers confirmed that the dominion had launched a sequence of repatriation flights from Kyiv to Rabat to carry residents again from Ukraine.

However tons of of Moroccan college students stay there, with native retailers reporting that prime costs for flights are maintaining them stranded.

Final week, Amine Mouhcine, a Moroccan aviation pupil, flew residence after paying 1000’s of {dollars} for a ticket. 

Mouhcine advised MEE that leaving Ukraine was a troublesome selection, however he “now not felt secure” within the nation. 

“The consulate advised me that the state of affairs is deteriorating, and the banks would shut if Russia invades the nation,” mentioned Mouhcine. 

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“Moroccan pals who’re in Ukraine proper now are very frightened and ready for the consulate to assist them.” 

‘I’ll return to Lebanon as quickly as doable’

Egypt in the meantime urged its residents in Ukraine to remain at residence and mentioned it was evaluating the evacuation choices after Ukraine shut its airspace. It additionally advised Egyptian nationals to register their particulars with the embassy. 

Earlier than Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, the households of scholars in Ukraine held protests in Egypt, Morocco and Lebanon, calling on their governments to carry residence relations.

Iraq’s embassy in Ukraine has since Monday been in contact with the 27 universities internet hosting Iraqi college students, in line with overseas ministry spokesperson Ahmed Al-Sahaf, to safe them emergency depart if the safety state of affairs worsens.

“The embassy referred to as on these Ukrainian universities and institutes to supply it with detailed details about the circumstances and numbers of Iraqi college students learning there,” he mentioned, in line with the Iraqi Information Company.

A number of Lebanese college students MEE interviewed mentioned they can not depart as a result of ticket costs are too excessive. 

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Ghada is a Lebanese medical pupil caught in Ivano-Frankivsk, a metropolis in western Ukraine the place explosions had been reported on Thursday. She moved to Ukraine in 2018, a 12 months earlier than the financial disaster crippled Lebanon. 

The 23-year-old mentioned she could not afford to depart: neither she nor her dad and mom have the cash for a ticket.

“Even when I might have the cash to purchase the ticket to return again to Lebanon, I could not as I’ve to pay money owed with my landlord to redeem my passport,” Ghada advised MEE. 

“However I wish to keep right here as I’ve many issues in Lebanon. I can not do something there.” 

Ali Sadaka, who lives in Kharkiv, and research Dentistry, mentioned he must borrow cash to fund his exit.

“When I’ll get cash, I’ll return quickly to Lebanon as quickly as doable,” mentioned Sadaka. 

“Once I requested my trainer what to do, to remain or depart, she spoke to me as if I used to be her son, and advised me to depart.”