The risk of a regional war / the USA and Britain, calling on their citizens to leave Lebanon

2024-08-03 22:42:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The risk of a regional war / the USA and Britain, calling on their citizens to

The risk of a regional war breaking out in the Middle East is now more apparent than ever. The US decision to send warships and a squadron of fighters to the region marks perhaps the biggest move of US forces since the early days of the Gaza war, when the Pentagon sent two strike groups to the Middle East warning groups regional militants not to expand the attacks.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin ordered the deployment of the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln and its escort ships to the area. Another aircraft carrier, Theodore Roosevelt, was in the Gulf of Oman on Friday and was joined by several other warships after recently leaving the Persian Gulf.

This change leaves open the possibility that they could move to Israel if they sail west around Yemen to the Red Sea. Destroyers, capable of defense against ballistic missiles as well as attack, will be deployed in the region, the Washington Post writes.

US military forces have been put on high alert following Iran's threats to retaliate for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniya in Tehran days ago, as the war in the Gaza Strip continues.

The risk of a regional war / the USA and Britain, calling on their citizens to

Buildings burning in the Schebaa region of southern Lebanon

The US Embassy in Beirut urged US citizens to leave "on any available plane ticket".

"We encourage those wishing to leave Lebanon to book whatever tickets are available, even if the flight does not depart immediately or does not follow their chosen route," the statement said.

We recall that Britain has also called on its citizens to leave Lebanon, amid fears of an intensification of an outbreak of war between Israel and the Lebanese organization Hezbollah.

In his statement, Britain's foreign secretary urged British citizens to leave now that flights are available.

"Tensions have increased and the situation could deteriorate rapidly. My message to British citizens is clear, leave now," said David Lammy.

The Foreign Office has asked Britons staying in Lebanon to report this to their local consular authorities so they can be kept informed of developments.

According to London, military personnel will soon be deployed to the area to provide support to British embassies and assist British citizens.

Royal Air Force helicopters will also be on standby to intervene if necessary.

"Expansion of the conflict is in nobody's interest, the consequences could be catastrophic," noted David Lammy, reiterating that he wants de-escalation and a diplomatic solution./ CNA