Dozens Of US Soldiers Deployed To Cyprus, Prepare Operations For Evacuating Citizens From Lebanon

US/ILUSTRASI military/PHOTO via Instagram @usnavy

JAKARTA - Dozens of United States (US) troops have been deployed to Cyprus amid rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

US troops are preparing for various possibilities including possible evacuation operations from Lebanon for US citizens if a massive war breaks out, two US officials told CNN.

Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder said earlier this week the US military would deploy a small number of US military personnel to the region with great care.

But he declined to say how many troops were deployed, where they were sent, and which unit they came from.

Cyprus played an important role in helping evacuate foreign nationals from Lebanon during Israel's war with Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2006, facilitating departures and accommodation of tens of thousands of people as they fled the conflict.

Cypriot government deputy spokesman Yiannis Antoniou told Reuters last month the island nation was back on standby to help if needed.

Britain announced it was sending 700 troops to Cyprus to prepare for a possible emergency evacuation of Britons from Lebanon if necessary.

"My most important message tonight is to British nationals in Lebanon, to leave immediately and I just want to confirm that," said British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The US State Department has also repeatedly warned US citizens to leave Lebanon as long as commercial travel options remain available.