Türkiye ready to evacuate its citizens from Lebanon amid Israel’s ground operation

The Turkish Armed Forces have completed the planning and preparation for the evacuation of foreign nationals, primarily Turkish citizens, from Lebanon.

The Turkish Armed Forces closely monitor regional and global developments related to national defence and security, Caliber.Az reports, citing a statement from the Turkish Ministry of National Defence on October 3.

These events are assessed using a multidimensional security strategy, and necessary precautions are being taken.

"The Turkish Armed Forces are fully capable of addressing all types of threats and dangers to the survival of the nation," the ministry stressed during a briefing in response to inquiries.

Currently, the situation in Lebanon is being closely monitored in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the event of an evacuation, the relevant state agencies will provide the necessary information, according to the ministry.

Tel Aviv’s ground operation into Lebanon and Iran’s retaliatory missile attack on Israel fueled tension in the Middle East, prompting countries to launch evacuation operations.

In a report on October 3, daily Milliyet, citing sources, revealed that there are approximately 13,000 officially registered Turkish nationals in Lebanon, though the actual number is estimated to be around 27,000 when unregistered individuals are accounted for.

The report highlighted that some of these citizens are of Arab descent and have been residing in Lebanon for decades, noting that the scope of the evacuation will depend on the number of those willing to depart the country. Türkiye is prepared to carry out the evacuation by both sea and land routes, it added.

By Khagan Isayev