Türkiye sends 2 naval ships to Lebanon for evacuation, delivers 300 tons of aid
A Turkish Navy ship docked at the Port of Beirut to unload aid supplies and evacuate Turkish citizens who applied to leave Lebanon. (Murat Sengul - Anadolu Agency)
Türkiye sent two amphibious naval ships to Lebanon, carrying 300 tons of humanitarian aid and facilitating the evacuation of Turkish citizens as tensions rise in the region due to ongoing Israeli attacks.
The Turkish naval ships, TCG Sancaktar and TCG Bayraktar arrived at the Port of Beirut on Wednesday, escorted by two frigates and two patrol ships.
The vessels delivered humanitarian aid and are prepared to evacuate up to 2,000 Turkish citizens, as announced by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Beirut Ali Baris Ulusoy.
In coordination with the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the aid consists of food, blankets and tents. It was loaded onto the ships at Mersin’s Coast Guard Mediterranean Regional Command. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense oversaw the operation.
Humanitarian aid and evacuation efforts
Ambassador Ulusoy highlighted the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon, which has prompted Turkish citizens to request evacuation.
“Today, two ships belonging to the Turkish Navy are arriving at the Port of Beirut. These ships, with a capacity to carry 2,000 people, will pick up our citizens and take them to the Port of Mersin,” he stated. Arrangements have also been made to meet the needs of the evacuees during their journey.
There are currently between 13,000 and 14,000 Turkish citizens in Lebanon, with approximately 2,000 having applied for evacuation, according to Ulusoy.
The Turkish government has previously sent aid to Lebanon, including a shipment of 30 tons of food and medicine on Sept. 25. The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) is also actively working in the country to provide further support.
Security concerns in Lebanon
The situation in Lebanon has worsened since mid-September due to increased Israeli assaults, resulting in over 1 million displaced people.
“This is a serious problem for a country the size of Lebanon,” Ulusoy remarked, noting the significant impact of the ongoing conflict.
In a statement, the Ministry of National Defense emphasized the importance of the aid mission and evacuation, stating: “The 300 tons of humanitarian aid onboard our ships that reached Beirut will be delivered to the friendly and brotherly people of Lebanon.”
The statement also confirmed that the evacuation of Turkish citizens and other foreign nationals requesting assistance from the Turkish government would be carried out securely.
