Fijian in Abu Dhabi worried about Pacific communites in Middle East
Photo:
Kelepi Abariga
Fiji's Embassy in Abu Dhabi says its closely monitoring the situation in Iran and Israel as tensions remain high.
Israel carried out a dozen strikes against Iranian military and nuclear sites on Friday, claiming it acted out of self-defence, saying Iran is close to building a nuclear weapon.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel that "severe punishment" will follow.
Fiji's Embassy in Abu Dhabi is urging the Fijian community there to remain calm, stay informed, and reach out to the Embassy should they have any concerns or require assistance during this period of heightened regional tensions.
A Fijian national in Abu Dhabi said he's yet to hear how other Pacific communities in the Middle East are coping amid the Israel-Iran conflict.
Speaking to
Pacific Waves
from Abu Dhabi, Fiji media specialist Kelepi Abariga said the situation is 'freaky and risky'.
Abariga has lived in Abu Dhabi for over a decade and while he is far from the danger zones, he's concerned for his 'fellow Pacific people'.
"I just hope they are safe as of now, this is probably the first time Israel has attacked Iran directly," he said.
"Everybody thinks that Iran has a huge nuclear deposit with them, that they could use it against any country in the world. But you know, that is yet to be seen.
"So right now, you know we from the Pacific, we're right in the middle of everything and I think you know, our safety is paramount."
Fiji UN peacekeepers in the Middle East
Photo:
AFP/Ramzi Haidar
Abariga isn't aware of any Pacific people in Tehran but said if they are, they are most likely working for an NGO or the United Nations.
However, Abariga said there are Fiji nationals working at the International Christian embassy in Jerusalem and Solomon Island students south of Israel.
He also said that the Fijian troops are stationed at Golan Heights near Israel.
While Abariga describes Abu Dhabi as the safest country in the Middle East, he said the politics in the region is volatile.
"It's been intense like that for all this time, and I think when you mention Iran in this country [UAE], they have all the differences so it's probably something that has started long way before."
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