Britain is deploying 700 troops to Cyprus as part of contingency plans for a potential emergency evacuation of UK citizens from Lebanon, amid Israeli strikes against the country.
The UK government announced that military teams are being positioned to support British nationals in Lebanon, where Israel has been conducting airstrikes in the south.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged British citizens still in Lebanon to leave immediately, stating, “The most important message from me this evening is to British nationals in Lebanon, to leave immediately and I just want to reinforce that.”
The Royal Air Force has placed aircraft and helicopters on standby for potential support operations. This deployment is part of the first phase of contingency plans for Lebanon, as the government aims to avoid the chaotic scenes witnessed during the 2021 Afghanistan evacuation.
Border Force and Foreign Office officials will support the military teams in Cyprus.
Lebanon’s health ministry reports at least 569 fatalities, including 50 children and 94 women, with 1,645 injured following Israeli airstrikes. This marks the highest death toll in Lebanon since its 1975-90 civil war.
The UK’s Defence Secretary, John Healey, held an emergency meeting with ministers, intelligence chiefs, and diplomats to review government planning.
This deployment adds to the existing UK military presence at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and regional naval assets, including RFA Mounts Bay and HMS Duncan.
International leaders, including US President Joe Biden and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, have called for de-escalation and diplomatic solutions at the ongoing UN General Assembly in New York.
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