The United States has deployed “dozens of US troops” to Cyprus due to rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, CNN reported on Wednesday, citing US officials.
Without specifying the number of troopers, the report noted that the troops are preparing for various scenarios, including the potential evacuation of US citizens from Lebanon.
Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder confirmed the deployment. However, he refrained from expanding on the details concerning the US convoy heading to Cyprus.
The Island, which is less than 500 kilometers from Israel, has previously served as an evacuation site during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah conflict and has previously been used as a middle ground for signing agreements between Israel and neighboring countries.
Tensions rise between Israel and Hezbollah
The UK is also sending 700 troops to Cyprus, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer advising British citizens in Lebanon to leave immediately, “The most important message from me this evening is to British nationals in Lebanon to leave immediately, and I just want to reinforce that.”
Similarly, the US State Department has urged Americans to exit Lebanon while commercial flights remain available.
Tensions escalated after months where Hezbollah has targeted Israeli civilian and military infrastructure across Israel’s north, leading to widespread property damage, fires breaking out in various locations in Israel, and multiple wounded. In response, Israel has targeted Hezbollah communication devices and conducted intelligence-based airstrikes in Beirut and southern Lebanon.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the US is actively working to prevent a larger conflict, emphasizing the US is “working tirelessly” towards a diplomatic solution for the matter.