Citigroup evacuates foreign employees from Lebanon to Türkiye amid escalating conflict

U.S. banking giant Citigroup has evacuated a “very small” number of its foreign employees from Lebanon to Türkiye as clashes between Hezbollah and Israel intensify, impacting the financial sector.

The evacuated personnel include U.S. and European Union citizens, according to a statement from the company.

Citigroup ensures employee safety amid Lebanon conflict

“The safety and well-being of our people remains our top priority, and we have taken every measure to ensure our colleagues’ safety,” a spokesperson for the bank said. “We continue to monitor the situation and have resources in place to support our colleagues and their families,” the bank added.

Citigroup’s history in Lebanon

Citigroup first established operations in Lebanon in the 1950s but halted all activities during the Lebanese Civil War in 1987.

After a nine-year absence, the bank returned to the country in 1996 and re-established itself as one of Lebanon’s leading financial institutions.

However, the recent conflict has once again disrupted operations, forcing the bank to relocate some of its staff.