From Tehran to Toronto via Turkey: An Iranian’s Bid to Flee War
Homa, an Iranian business analyst, fled from Tehran to Turkey after airspace closures due to war with Israel. She discusses challenges in her journey while family safety concerns weigh on her. Reports show mixed refugee influx, while others believe the situation in Iran is stable. Bus traffic increases as tensions rise.
Homa, a 40-year-old Iranian business analyst, is on a grueling journey from Tehran to Toronto, and she just crossed into Turkey dragging two suitcases and looking plainly worn out. She was on holiday in Iran when the conflict began, and upon hearing news of Israel’s intense bombing campaign, found herself stranded when Iran shut its airspace. She quickly sought alternatives, finally opting for a bus ride that covered 850 kilometers to get to Turkey’s border.
Leaving Tehran at 8:00 PM on Tuesday, Homa reached the Kapikoy border crossing in the eastern Turkish province of Van the next day. While she was escaping, her family was also making their way to safety, driving to Shahriar—only about 30 kilometers away—though they faced heavy traffic: “It took hours,” she shared, clearly distressed about their safety. To date, Iran has reported at least 224 casualties from Israeli attacks targeting its military and nuclear sites, while Israel claims 24 deaths due to retaliatory strikes from Tehran.
Still, for Homa, her journey isn’t over. “Right now, I’m going to Erzurum, then to Istanbul, then to Dubai and finally to Toronto,” she detailed, preparing for the next five-hour leg of her journey. With a heavy heart, she reflected on her previous nights in Tehran: “I couldn’t sleep for five nights in a row because of the sound of incoming missiles,” she lamented, mentioning how the bombing in eastern Tehran forced her to flee to the city’s north for safety.
Communication during this crisis has been a challenge. Homa mentioned, “The internet is awful. I couldn’t even get the VPN working,” illustrating the difficulties she faced connecting with loved ones. As of now, Kapikoy has emerged as a key crossing point between Turkey and Iran, although reports on the influx of Iranian refugees have been mixed. While Turkish officials offered little data, some reports show a mild increase in crossings but suggest it is not unusual given the region’s long-standing tourist traffic from Iran.
Despite the circumstances, bus drivers in the area noted a spike in demand. Driver Ismail Metin told reporters that bus traffic increased drastically from the normal three to four buses to 30 between 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM as people hurriedly travel to Istanbul—a journey of about 1,500 kilometers.
Contrary to Homa’s experience, some travelers remain confident in their homeland’s stability. Ramin Rad, a 37-year-old tile businessman who found himself in Van when the bombings began, expressed his belief that the regime would withstand the war while showing frustration towards Israel. “How dare you change Allah’s regime? Godwilling, Muslims will win,” he declared passionately.
Mirzanezhad Valehzagherd, a 49-year-old who frequently moves between Istanbul and Tehran for work, assured that the situation in Tehran isn’t dire. “My family lives in Tehran; the situation is not bad because Israel is hitting military sites,” he commented. He denied that people were fleeing, and that response echoed the thoughts of another traveler named Seher, who also noted, “It’s safe over there. There’s no problem.”
In summary, Homa’s challenging journey from Tehran highlights the turbulence and uncertainty many are facing amidst escalating conflict. While some are desperate to escape and seek safety in Turkey en route to other destinations, others remain resolute about staying put, believing their homes in Iran remain secure. The varying perspectives underscore the complexity of individual experiences during this crisis, with hopes lingering amid chaos.
Original Source: www.yahoo.com
