Saudi Arabia, along with several Western and Arab nations, has issued an urgent call for its citizens to leave Lebanon immediately amid rapidly escalating tensions in the Middle East. The Saudi Embassy in Beirut stated, ‘We closely follow the developments in southern Lebanon and renew our call for Saudi citizens to leave Lebanese territory immediately, in compliance with the decision to ban travel to Lebanon’.This heightened alert follows the recent assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah commander Foad Shaker near Beirut, both attributed to Israel. In response, Iran and Hezbollah have vowed retaliation, raising fears of a potential wider regional conflict.The United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Jordan, and Sweden are among the countries that have also advised their citizens to leave Lebanon as soon as possible. Some nations, including Sweden, have gone as far as to close their embassies in Beirut.The escalating situation has led to the suspension or alteration of flights to Beirut by several airlines, including Air France, Transavia, and Kuwait Airways. The U.S. has also strengthened its military presence in the region in response to the growing tensions.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that his country is ‘at a very high level of readiness’ for any ‘defensive and offensive scenario’. Meanwhile, ongoing clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces along the Lebanon-Israel border have resulted in numerous casualties, primarily on the Lebanese side.As the situation continues to evolve, governments are emphasizing the need for their citizens to take immediate action. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, ‘We invite them to take their precautions to leave Lebanon as soon as possible,’ highlighting the ‘very volatile’ context and risks of military escalation.
Key points
- Saudi Arabia and multiple nations have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon immediately due to escalating tensions.
- Recent assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, attributed to Israel, have heightened fears of a wider regional conflict.
- Several countries have issued travel warnings, and many airlines have suspended flights to Lebanon.
- The U.
S.
has increased its military presence in the region in response to growing tensions.
