Kuwait has followed the lead of other countries by urging its nationals in Lebanon to leave immediately. The call comes amid escalating tensions and the threat of war between Hezbollah and Israel, with increasing cross-border attacks along Lebanon’s southern border.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised all citizens to avoid traveling to Lebanon due to the ongoing security developments in the region.
The ministry also urged Kuwaitis currently in Lebanon to leave as soon as possible unless there is an urgent need preventing them from doing so. Those unable to leave were advised to contact the Kuwaiti embassy in Lebanon immediately via the emergency hotline.
This move mirrors steps taken by other nations. Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly informed her Israeli counterpart, Israel Katz, that Canada is preparing militarily to evacuate its 45,000 citizens from Lebanon in case of a war.
Joly stated that Canada has deployed forces to the region to assist in the evacuation if hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah break out.
The Canadian Foreign Ministry had previously advised its citizens to avoid traveling to Lebanon due to the “deteriorating security situation.”
In a statement on its official website, the ministry advised citizens to “avoid travel to Lebanon due to the deteriorating security situation, civil unrest, increased risk of terrorist attacks, and ongoing armed conflict with Israel.”
The statement also warned, “The security situation could further deteriorate without warning. In the event of intensified armed conflict, commercial means of leaving the country may be affected, and the Canadian government’s ability to provide consular services, including evacuation, may be limited.”
