military deployment
‘Leave Immediately,’ Starmer Urges Britons in Lebanon as UK Troops Deploy to Cyprus
Two British warships are stationed in the region, ready for deployment if an evacuation is necessary. Royal Air Force planes and helicopters are also on standby. The UK prime minister has urged Britons in Lebanon to "leave immediately" as around 700 UK troops are being sent to Cyprus in case an emergency evacuation becomes necessary. Sir Keir Starmer stated, "We are ramping up contingency plans due to the escalation," as concerns grow over a potential full-scale conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
US orders Middle East submarine, carrier strike group faster sailing
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin has directed the deployment of a guided missile submarine to the Middle East and the acceleration of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group's arrival. The order was issued on Sunday evening during a phone chat between Austin and Israeli Minister of Defence Yoav Galant, as tensions rose following the deaths of key Hamas and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. Austin reaffirmed the United States' commitment to take every feasible measure to defend Israel, as well as the upgrading of US military force posture and capabilities throughout the Middle East in response to growing regional tensions, according to the Pentagon.