Turkey Prepares for Potential Evacuations of Foreign Nationals from Lebanon, Reports Reuters

By Tuvan Gumrukcu and Jonathan Spicer

ANKARA – Turkey is preparing for the potential evacuation of foreign nationals and its citizens from Lebanon amid ongoing cross-border fire between Israel and Hezbollah, according to a Turkish defense ministry source.

Several Western nations have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon while airports remain operational, with some outlining contingency plans that may involve Cyprus and include sea evacuations.

For those remaining in Lebanon, southern Turkey’s Mediterranean coast offers another potential evacuation route should Israel increase airstrikes in the region.

The Turkish military possesses the capability and resources necessary to conduct any missions required for the safe evacuation of its citizens or foreign nationals from Lebanon, the source stated during a briefing in Ankara.

"Preliminary planning and preparations for a possible evacuation operation are underway," the official noted, emphasizing that Turkey has executed similar operations in the past and is closely monitoring the situation in Lebanon.

The source did not specify which foreign nationals Turkey might assist in evacuating or the extent of the planning already conducted.

Australia’s Prime Minister stated that evacuations for the country’s estimated 15,000 citizens in Lebanon may utilize sea routes, with foreign minister concerns about the potential extended closure of Beirut’s airport.

An individual familiar with various Western nations’ contingency plans indicated that Cyprus is the primary focus, involving the deployment of additional personnel and military and commercial vessels to the area.

Should the conflict escalate and disrupt operations at Lebanon’s airports, additional evacuation routes might include Turkey and Greece.

Britain has announced the relocation of troops to Cyprus and stationed naval ships there to facilitate evacuations.

Additionally, Israel’s foreign minister rejected a ceasefire proposal from the United States, France, and others as violence persists along the Israeli-Lebanese border.