- German Army ready for large evacuation operation
Due to the anticipated escalation in the Middle East, the German Armed Forces are prepared for a major operation to evacuate German citizens. Transport aircraft of the A400M type and soldiers are being held ready at the airbase in Lower Saxony, Wunstorf, ready to depart at short notice, as explained to the German Press Agency. Preparations are also underway in the Navy. The operation could primarily involve Germans who remain in Lebanon despite repeated calls.
According to a "Spiegel" report, the military is focusing on the rescue of Germans from the Lebanon. A400M transport aircraft could pick up Germans in Beirut within a few hours, set them down on the nearby island of Cyprus, and fly back towards the Lebanese capital, the news magazine reported. The frigate "Hamburg", which is currently south of Greece, could also be activated for a possible sea-based pickup, as it is currently en route to an operation in the Red Sea.
According to the Foreign Office, as of Monday, 2,100 German citizens are registered in Lebanon. Last week, the number was 1,300. However, it is unknown how many of the 2,100 people on the list have left the Arab country since the urgent warning from the Foreign Office last week. The German Lufthansa group, as well as other airlines, had temporarily suspended their flights to and from Beirut due to the threatening situation.
The German Press Agency reported about the German Armed Forces' focus on evacuating citizens from Lebanon, especially mentioning their readiness with A400M transport aircraft. The news also hinted at the potential involvement of the frigate "Hamburg" in the operation organized by The German Press Agency.
