US announces partial evacuation from Lebanon
Photo: US Department of State (Getty Images)
The United States has announced an urgent evacuation from Lebanon. The US State Department has ordered non-critical staff and family members of diplomats to leave Lebanese territory as soon as possible, according to CNN.
"Due to ongoing regional events, we remind US citizens to continue to exercise caution and encourage them to monitor the news for breaking developments," the warning says.
Evacuation and security measures are not limited to Lebanon:
- In Israel, family members of diplomats are being evacuated by sea, and diplomatic personnel have been ordered not to leave their shelters, as there is a high risk of an Iranian attack.
- In Iraq, the number of embassy personnel has been reduced amid fears of Iranian retaliation.
- In Saudi Arabia, the US Embassy recommended that staff limit unnecessary travel, especially to military installations.
- In Türkiye, US diplomats were ordered to avoid personal travel to the Adana consular district in the southern provinces of the country.
"Negative sentiment toward US foreign policy may prompt actions against US or Western interests in Türkiye," the document explains.
Evacuation of US citizens from the Middle East
On the night of June 22, the United States struck Iran's nuclear facilities. According to Donald Trump, the Iranian nuclear program has been destroyed, and all 3 attacked facilities were severely damaged. Iran claims that the US strike did not cause significant damage and threatens to retaliate.
Since June 21, the United States has been actively removing its citizens from Israel, including diplomats and their families. Even before the attack on Iran, on June 18, the US Embassy in Israel announced evacuation flights for American citizens.
