Thousands of U.S. citizens are trying to leave the Middle East as airports remain closed after Iran’s retaliatory strikes in the region following the attack by the U.S. and Israel.
Northwestern University Professor Christina Paschyn, a Chicago native who has been a journalism professor in the Middle East for the last 15 years, said she and her family are staying indoors.
“We are pretty much staying inside all of the time,” the professor said.
This is the first time they’ve witnessed conflict break out into a war. Paschyn described what she has both seen and heard.
“Sounds of explosions overhead kind of coming in waves, you know, a series of explosions. Six up to 18 explosions per wave,” she said.
While Qatar is using the Patriot missile system to intercept munitions, it’s not foolproof.
The threat looms, and her small children have been taking shelter inside a kitchen cupboard.
“It’s enough to get our two kids in there. They can lie comfortable in there. We kind of run in there anytime we hear a big explosion,” the professor said.
Paschyn said she has built a life in Qatar and does not plan on leaving.
The situation is different for Axel Ramos, who is a barber at L&J Cuts in Chicago.
His dream vacation to Dubai had come to an end; Ramos was already on a flight waiting to take off and go back home to Chicago.
“We were literally in the plane when it happened,” he said.
Iranian missiles grounded all flights as officials closed the airspace in Dubai.
“We saw a lot of missiles, a lot of intercepted missiles, a lot of debris hitting the streets,” Ramos said. “We couldn’t sleep because the only thing you’d hear were a lot of booms, and a lot of loud noises, and the phone cannot stop vibrating.”
The only thing calming Ramos’ mind is the defense systems in place.
“When you see it, it’s scary, but it’s amazing at the same time. The way they intercept the missiles, it’s crazy,” he said. “It’s like a movie, but it is scary at the same time.”
Ramos said he has a flight scheduled on March 6 – it’s just the latest flight plan he has gotten after days of cancellations.
But he may have to find a new way home as airspace remains closed.
On Tuesday night, the U.S. State Department said it was actively securing military aircraft and cargo flights for Americans who wish to leave.
With some 50,000 Americans living in the United Arab Emirates, many of them are still left waiting for a flight back home.
