The U.S. Department of State on Sunday ordered the evacuation of nonemergency government personnel and family members from Lebanon due to the regional security situation, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut said.
The notice urged U.S. citizens to “continue to exercise caution and encourage them to monitor the news for breaking developments.”
Last year, the U.S. had already elevated its travel advisory for Lebanon to the highest level, “Do not travel,” following an Israeli strike in southern Beirut that killed senior Hezbollah terrorist Fuad Shukr on July 30.
“Over the past several days, the U.S. Embassy notes some airlines have suspended or cancelled flights; however, Lebanese airspace and Beirut Airport are currently open and commercial transportation options to leave Lebanon remain available, but limited. Please check for available flight options from Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport,” the U.S. Embassy said in its statement.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Friday morning warned Lebanon’s Iranian-backed Hezbollah terror army against joining the Islamic Republic’s ongoing aerial war against the Jewish state.
“I advise the Lebanese proxy to be cautious and understand that Israel has lost patience with terrorists who threaten it. If there is terrorism—there will be no Hezbollah,” the defense minister warned.
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem declared on Thursday his group’s support for Iran, in the wake of the severe blows it was dealt by Israel’s military over the past days.
Hezbollah has a duty “to stand by Iran and provide it with all forms of support that contribute to putting an end to this tyranny and oppression,” Qassem said in a statement posted on Telegram.
Also on Thursday, U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, visiting Beirut, met with Hezbollah ally and parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and warned him not to get involved in the Israeli-Iranian conflict.
“I can say on behalf of President Trump … that would be a very, very, very bad decision,” Barrack said.
