UK Prime Minister Starmer Orders Immediate Evacuation for Britons in Lebanon Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions; Troops Deployed to Cyprus

"Evacuate now," Starmer urges UK citizens in Lebanon, while British forces deploy to Cyprus

The UK has deployed two naval ships to the area, ready for potential rescue missions. Additionally, Royal Air Force aircraft and helicopters are prepared for action.

Security and Defense Editor @haynesdeborah

Wednesday, September 25, 2024, 7:

The Prime Minister has urgently advised British citizens in Lebanon to evacuate without delay, as approximately 700 UK soldiers are being stationed in Cyprus to assist with a potential emergency extraction.

Sir Keir Starmer stated, "we are intensifying our emergency preparations… due to the increasing tensions," amid concerns of a potential full-scale conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

"The Prime Minister emphasized the urgency, stating, 'It is crucial that we understand the necessity to evacuate immediately.'"

Defence Secretary John Healey, who earlier presided over a meeting of the UK's COBRA emergency committee, has strongly advised all British citizens to exit Lebanon immediately.

Middle East Tensions: Tune into Sky News for a special broadcast at 2pm today with Yalda Hakim. Breaking news: Senior Hezbollah leader assassinated in Beirut.

Two UK naval vessels are currently positioned in the area and will be deployed should an evacuation be mandated. Additionally, aircraft and helicopters from the Royal Air Force are prepared to mobilize.

RAF Akrotiri, a significant British military installation in Cyprus, would serve as a crucial launching point.

The dispatch of military forces, supplementing the several hundred soldiers currently positioned in Cyprus in preparation for a potential evacuation, was anticipated to occur overnight and into Wednesday. These troops will receive assistance from Border Force and Foreign Office representatives.

The step signifies a major escalation in the UK's preparations for a possible large-scale evacuation operation—a risky and intricate endeavor that has been considered likely due to the unstable conditions in the area.

A government release characterized it as "the initial stage of its emergency strategies in response to the recent intense confrontations between Israel and Hezbollah."

Numerous UK citizens are currently in Lebanon.

Sir Keir expressed his concern regarding the crisis in Lebanon, stating, "It's crucial that we aim for de-escalation, establish a ceasefire, and avoid further escalation."

In a clear indication of escalating worries, Mr. Healey departed from the Labour Party conference ahead of schedule to preside over a COBRA session that included ministers, intelligence leaders, and diplomats.

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"The recent events have underscored the instability of the current circumstances, prompting a straightforward directive: British citizens are advised to evacuate immediately," the defence secretary stated in a subsequent announcement.

"We persistently encourage all parties to withdraw from hostilities to avert additional heartbreaking casualties. Our administration is making all necessary arrangements to assist British citizens in case conditions worsen. I extend my gratitude to the British staff being stationed in the area for their dedication and expertise."

HMS Duncan, a Type 45 destroyer, along with RFA Mounts Bay, a vessel from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, are positioned in the eastern Mediterranean and prepared for action.

This year has seen multiple instances where the military has been mobilized to ready for the possible evacuation of British citizens from Lebanon.

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Last month saw over a thousand troops in Cyprus and the UK poised for action as tensions escalated. Although initially reduced, the alert status is being heightened once again due to the worsening crisis.

Over the past week, Israel has initiated its largest attack on Hezbollah since their 2006 conflict. Hezbollah, supported by Iran, has a military branch that the UK recognizes as a terrorist group.

The operation kicked off with the activation of thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies utilized by the organization, although Israel has not officially acknowledged its involvement in this clandestine mixed attack.

The conflict escalated rapidly into open combat, with Israeli aircraft executing intense series of air raids. The Israeli military stated that their strikes were aimed at Hezbollah arms facilities and resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking leaders. Nevertheless, the violence has resulted in the death of hundreds and injuries to thousands, with women and children among the casualties.

Large numbers of individuals have evacuated their residences in the southern part of Lebanon.

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The Israeli administration states that its mission is to prevent Hezbollah from launching attacks into northern Israel, an action the militant organization has been carrying out since the day following the October 7 Hamas assaults on Israel that instigated the conflict in Gaza.

Hezbollah's attacks have compelled tens of thousands of Israelis to evacuate their residences in northern Israel. The Israeli government is keen on facilitating their return, a plan that Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Hezbollah, has promised to obstruct.

The Israeli offensive, which has significantly weakened Hezbollah, suggests that Hezbollah might respond by deploying its long-range missiles to strike further into Israel. This action would likely provoke a ground assault by Israel.

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