British troops deployed to Cyprus amid Lebanon evacuation plans
In response to increasing tensions in the Middle East, British authorities have decided to deploy approximately 700 soldiers to Cyprus. These troops will assist with the potential evacuation of British nationals from Lebanon.
The British government on Tuesday urged British citizens to leave Lebanon immediately. This decision is driven by the ongoing escalation of the conflict between Israel and the Shiite Hezbollah, which Iran supports.
Given the growing threat, British authorities also announced they would deploy approximately 700 soldiers to Cyprus "within the next few hours" to support potential evacuation efforts.
The most important message from me this evening is to British nationals in Lebanon, to leave immediately and I just want to reinforce that. It is important that we be really, really clear: now is the time to leave. More broadly, I am worried about the situation and I think we need to be clear we need de-escalation, we need a ceasefire, we need to pull back from the brink, said a statement from Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Massive tensions in the Middle East
According to data from Lebanese authorities, the intensification of Israeli attacks in recent days has led to the deaths of 569 people, including 50 children. Additionally, 1,835 people have been injured. This follows a recent series of explosions targeting members of a terrorist organization.
The conflict has prompted thousands of residents in southern Lebanon to migrate to the north of the country in search of safety. The Israeli offensive against Palestinian Hamas is also ongoing.
More and more experts are concerned that the current situation could evolve into a broader regional conflict. They also emphasize that actions in the Middle East could significantly weaken support for Ukraine, posing a significant problem for Central Europe.
