US troops deployed to Cyprus as fears of wider Middle East war intensify

Dozens of US troops have been deployed to Cyprus due to rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, preparing for potential evacuations of US citizens from Lebanon if conflict escalates. The US military is sending "a small number of US military personnel forward" as a precaution. Historically, Cyprus assisted in evacuating nationals during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

The UK has also deployed 700 troops to Cyprus for possible emergency evacuations. Both countries have advised their citizens in Lebanon to leave as soon as possible. Tensions have intensified with recent Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, prompting retaliatory rocket attacks from Hezbollah.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken affirmed ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent a "full-blown war" while cautioning about the risk of regional escalation involving Iran, Hezbollah's key ally.