Escalating strikes in the Gulf have disrupted flights and daily life, directly impacting Moroccans in the region, with some returning home and others choosing to stay despite ongoing risks. Testimonies shared with Yabiladi reveal journeys marked by fear, financial strain, and growing uncertainty, as the crisis shifts from a security threat to a risk of job loss and instability. A visual shared on social media showing an explosion in Bahrain . / Ph. DR ‹ › Since the start of the war on Iran, Gulf countries have been targeted by repeated drone and missile salvos in response to US and Israeli strikes that began at the end of February. The escalation has also led to significant flight disruptions across the region, affecting travel and mobility. Moroccan nationals living in Gulf countries have been directly impacted, with some choosing to return to Morocco, while others have decided to remain despite ongoing security concerns. For Khadija, a Moroccan based in Dubai, returning home became an urgent priority. She found herself stranded in Bahrain during Ramadan when the first strikes hit American bases in the Middle East. «I woke up to terrifying sounds of the strikes that weekend», she told Yabiladi. Recalling the first moments of panic, she said: «The first thing that came to my mind was to leave the building I was staying in». Like many foreigners in the Gulf, Khadija sought safety away from potential targets. She rented a room at a resort far from «the American base and other buildings that could be targeted by strikes». There, strict security measures were enforced, including turning off all lights and staying inside rooms. Feeling unsafe, she moved again, this time to Al Hamla, a quieter area where she began what she describes as a race against time to return to Morocco. «The plan was to get a visa to Saudi Arabia and then leave through there to Morocco», she explained, as flight options were disrupted. A Costly and Traumatic Journey Home Khadija recounts an ordeal marked by uncertainty and rising costs. «The Saudi visa became very expensive, around 100 to 150 dinars. I submitted my first application and kept waiting while paying high rent», she said. «Days passed with no response, so I decided to go to the border crossing separating Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, but they told me I needed another type of visa and directed me to the Saudi embassy». «After several hurdles, my visa was finally approved», she continued. «But when I returned to the place I had rented to pack my things before leaving, I found that the neighboring buildings had been bombed». Her journey out of the region was long and costly. «I traveled from Bahrain to Saudi Arabia in six-hour journey by car, then took a direct flight from Riyadh to Morocco for 500 dinars». Now in Agadir at her family home, Khadija continues to suffer from the psychological impact of her ordeal. «I am traumatized. Even a slight noise wakes me up, I jump in fear, even though I know I am safe and sound in Morocco». Financially, the ordeal was costly, with Khadija saying the situation «resulted in significant expenses». She still hopes to return «because of my work and the apartment I am renting in Dubai», noting with relief that «the landlords exempted me from the rent for March». From Security Fears to Economic Uncertainty Mohamed, a Moroccan resident of Riyadh, also decided early on to return home. «When the war first started, we were advised not to go to the office, which is why I decided to come to Morocco», he recalled. Although his return was relatively smooth, it was not without disruption. «I was supposed to fly from Riyadh to Morocco, but it was changed from Riyadh to Jeddah, and then from there to Morocco», he said, citing disruptions at Riyadh airport. Now in Morocco, he says the impact goes beyond security concerns. «In a way that was not officially announced, our work is being affected by the war», he explained. «Because of slowing activity and increasing delays, we are scared of being laid off». «The impact of the war has shifted», he added. «We moved from a security risk, which people had adapted to, to a risk of losing one's job». Despite plans to return to his office in Saudi Arabia, uncertainty remains. «If the situation stabilizes security-wise, I will return. But there is no visibility, we don't know what to expect. We are afraid of further retaliation or escalation». In the meantime, Mohamed is preparing for all scenarios. «When I came here, I started looking for jobs, with the possibility of relocating to Morocco permanently. I wanted to consider all options, especially given the risk of being laid off». Safe but cautious Unlike Khadija and Mohamed, Ahmed, a Moroccan student in Qatar, chose to stay. «The situation in Qatar is tense but generally stable», he told Yabiladi. «There were missile and drone attacks earlier in the escalation, but most were intercepted by air defenses». He says the situation has recently calmed. «Recently, things have eased, with no new alerts in the past days, although vigilance remains high». Still, daily life has been affected. «There was a temporary shift to remote life, with schools and universities moving to online learning as a precaution against missile threats», he said. However, «Qatar has now returned to in-person work and normal schedules after the situation improved». Ahmed, who reported hearing sirens, loud explosions, and seeing missile interceptions in the sky, says he «feels relatively safe, but remains cautious». At the same time, psychological stress persists, with «uncertainty and fear of escalation» still shaping daily life.
