Turkey is taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of its citizens living in Lebanon. The Turkish Foreign Ministry has announced that it has developed alternative evacuation plans for Turkish nationals, utilising both air and sea routes. This decision comes as concerns about the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon continue to grow.
The ministry stated that the current climate in Lebanon is likely to worsen, prompting the need for a contingency plan to protect its citizens. In light of this, a dedicated call centre has been established to assist Turkish citizens wishing to be evacuated. The call centre is currently accepting applications from those who want to be included in the evacuation plans.
In addition to assisting its citizens, Turkey is also coordinating with nearly 20 other countries that have sought support in evacuating their nationals. The Foreign Ministry has outlined specific guidelines regarding how these evacuations will be conducted. This collaborative effort reflects Turkey's commitment to ensuring the safety of not only its citizens but also those from allied nations in the region.
The urgency of the situation has been underscored by recent developments in Lebanon. The Israeli military has issued warnings to civilians, advising them to evacuate around 30 villages and towns in southern Lebanon due to the threat of imminent attacks. This alert follows Israel’s claims of launching a ground operation in the area, raising fears of increased military conflict.
In response to the tensions, Hezbollah, the militant group based in Lebanon, has also escalated its actions. On the same day as the evacuation warnings, Hezbollah launched rockets at various targets in Israel, including Tel Aviv and central cities.
This prompted sirens to blare across central Israel and several settlements in the northern occupied West Bank, indicating the high alert level in the region.