Americans stranded in the Middle East
The U.S. State Department is finding ways to help Americans evacuate the Middle East. The department says over the past several days, more than 9,000 Americans have safely returned from the region. Of those 9,000, only 300 are from Israel.
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Iran and its proxy terrorist militias have issued targeted threats against universities in Lebanon, and the State Department has warned Americans to get out now while commercial flights are still available, U.S. officials said.
Officials said Iran has “specifically threatened” American universities across the Middle East.
The U.S. Embassy in Beirut described the security situation in Lebanon as “volatile and unpredictable.”
“Airstrikes, drones and rocket attacks occur throughout the country, especially in the south, the Beqaa, and parts of Beirut,” officials wrote in a security alert.
Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike hits a building near the airport road in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday. (Hussein Malla/AP)
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The U.S. Embassy in Beirut added that it strongly encourages U.S. citizens in southern Lebanon, near the border with Syria, in refugee settlements and in the southern suburbs of Beirut — including Dahiyeh — to depart those areas immediately.
“We recommend that U.S. citizens in Lebanon who choose not to leave prepare contingency plans for emergency situations and be prepared to shelter in place should the situation deteriorate further,” according to the State Department.
A man rides a scooter past a burned tree and charred debris after an Israeli strike in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday. (Hassan Ammar/AP)
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Commercial flights are being offered by Middle East Airlines, operating out of Beirut Rafic Hariri airport.
Officials said Americans should strongly consider departing on one of the flights “if they believe it is safe to do so.”
The U.S. Embassy in Beirut is providing limited passport services on an emergency basis to U.S. citizens.
An excavator clears debris at the site of an Israeli strike March 18 in the Zuqaq al-Blat district of central Beirut, Lebanon. (Khalil Ashawi/Reuters)
All routine consular services, including visa operations, are suspended until further notice.
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Those who have plans to travel to Lebanon should cancel them, officials said.