The United States has deployed dozens of troops to Cyprus as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah escalate sharply, US officials told CNN on Wednesday.
The move comes as preparations are underway for potential contingencies, including a possible evacuation of US citizens from Lebanon should full-scale war erupt.
Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed the deployment of “a small number of US military personnel” to the region as a precautionary measure, without specifying details.
The British government announced on Tuesday the deployment of 700 troops to Cyprus to prepare for a potential emergency evacuation of its citizens from Lebanon. Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged British nationals in Lebanon to “leave immediately”.
Tensions have soared in recent days following Israeli covert operations and airstrikes in Lebanon, resulting in hundreds of civilian and Hezbollah fighter casualties. Hezbollah has retaliated with rocket attacks on Israeli targets, including a missile launch at Tel Aviv on Wednesday.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that diplomatic efforts are underway to prevent a “full-blown war” between Israel and Lebanon. “The risk of escalation in the region is acute,” Blinken told Gulf Cooperation Council counterparts at a UN General Assembly side meeting.
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, warned that the situation is “the closest we’ve been to spiralling to a regional war” since Hamas’ 7 October attack on Israel. Concerns are mounting over potential Iranian intervention in support of Hezbollah.
Cypriots protesting involvement in war
Meanwhile, people in Cyprus are gearing up for a protest outside the British military base at Akrotiri on Sunday, citing concerns over the war in the Middle East and Western involvement in it.
The Cyprus Peace Council which is organising the demonstration raised concerns about Cyprus potentially becoming a target due to increased US military presence on the island and recent military exercises around Akrotiri.
The group had held another anti-war protest in Akrotiri in January.
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