The Embassy of Rwanda in Qatar has announced that it has temporarily shifted its services online due to the current security situation in the country.
In a public notice, the embassy stated that the measure was taken “because of the current security conditions,” as tensions escalate across the Gulf following Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting several countries in the region.
Qatar is among the countries affected by the growing conflict, as Iran launches retaliatory strikes in response to ongoing military operations by Israel and the United States. The escalating hostilities have raised concerns among foreign nationals living in the region, including Rwandans.
Some Rwandan citizens residing in countries affected by the attacks have expressed anxiety about the deteriorating security situation and have appealed for various forms of assistance, including possible evacuation back to Rwanda.
Hours after the Rwandan embassy announced the shift to online services, Qatar’s Ministry of Interior issued a nationwide advisory urging residents to remain inside their homes and buildings. Authorities said people should avoid going outside unless absolutely necessary.
Earlier on Thursday, Qatari authorities also confirmed that residents living near the U.S. Embassy in Doha were being temporarily relocated as a precautionary measure.
The Rwandan Embassy in Doha is located roughly 10 kilometers from the U.S. Embassy, though it remains unclear whether its staff have also been moved following the government’s security advisory.
Iran’s recent strikes have largely targeted U.S. military facilities and infrastructure linked to American operations across the Middle East, further heightening tensions in the region.
Meanwhile, Qatar Airways, the state-owned airline of Qatar and a major shareholder in Rwanda’s national carrier RwandAir, announced that its flights have been temporarily suspended after Qatar closed its airspace due to the ongoing security threats.
Authorities have advised Rwandans and Burundians living in Middle Eastern countries to remain vigilant and strictly follow safety instructions issued by local governments.
A Rwandan resident in Dubai told BBC that on the fourth day of the conflict, explosions and missiles were frequently visible in the skies. “Often we see missiles passing overhead,” he said, explaining that they were usually heading toward U.S. military installations.
Despite the tensions, some activities continue in Dubai, although many businesses and public spaces have been closed as a precaution.
U.S. President Donald Trump recently suggested that the ongoing conflict with Iran could last between four and five weeks, signaling the possibility of prolonged instability in the region.
