Turkey has advised its citizens in Lebanon to depart the country if their presence is not necessary, citing the potential for a swift decline in security conditions, according to a statement from its foreign ministry issued late Sunday.
The call for caution follows the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the Palestinian group Hamas, in Tehran on Wednesday, and the subsequent Israeli strike in Beirut that killed Fuad Shukr, a senior military commander from the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. The ministry advised Turkish nationals in Lebanon to exercise vigilance and avoid travel to Nebatiyeh, South Lebanon, Bekaa, and Baalbek-Hermel governorates unless absolutely necessary.
"Those who do not need to remain in Lebanon should consider leaving while commercial flights are still available, if possible," the ministry advised, also cautioning against non-essential travel to Lebanon. Earlier on Sunday, both France and Saudi Arabia issued similar advisories for their citizens in Lebanon, citing the risk of a military escalation in the Middle East. Concurrently, the UK government urged its citizens in Lebanon to leave immediately due to concerns over escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, and the potential for a wider regional conflict.
