Evacuation of US Citizens from Lebanon: A Fact Check
Rumors of an evacuation order for US citizens in Lebanon have been circulating online. However, the State Department has refuted these claims, stating that there is no such order in place as of July 29th, 2024.
The State Department has issued a Level 3 travel advisory for Lebanon, urging Americans to reconsider travel to the area due to security concerns. The advisory highlights risks such as crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping.
No Evacuation Order
State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel confirmed in a news briefing that there is no evacuation order for Americans in Lebanon. He advised US citizens to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and consider their remaining commercial flight options for leaving the country if they wish to do so.
Heightened Tension in the Region
The US embassy in Beirut has issued a security alert, noting that some airlines are adjusting their flight schedules due to heightened tension in the region following a deadly rocket strike in the Israel-controlled Golan Heights. American and Israeli intelligence agencies have linked the attack to Hezbollah, although the militant group has denied involvement.
Travel Advisory and Restricted Areas
The State Department has categorized the entirety of Lebanon under a Level 3 travel advisory, urging Americans to reconsider travel due to the aforementioned risks. Some areas of Lebanon, such as southern Lebanon and its border with Syria, remain under a Level 4 travel advisory, meaning do not travel.
Pentagon Prepares for Evacuation
In June, NBC reported that the Pentagon was repositioning military assets closer to Israel and Lebanon to facilitate a swift evacuation of Americans if necessary. The Department of Defense has not issued any evacuation orders, but these preparations demonstrate their readiness to respond to potential threats.
Previous False Claims
USA TODAY previously debunked a claim that the Department of Defense had evacuated the US embassy in Beirut and ordered Americans to leave Lebanon in October 2023. This claim was also false.
Conclusion
As of July 29th, 2024, there is no evacuation order in place for US citizens in Lebanon. The State Department urges Americans to reconsider travel to the country due to security risks. US citizens in Lebanon should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and consider their commercial flight options if they wish to leave the country. The Pentagon is prepared to assist with evacuation efforts if necessary, but no such order has been given at this time.
