US troops deployed to Greek Cyprus as Israel's war in Middle East widens

As tensions between Israel and Hezbollah escalate, the US has deployed a small number of troops to Greece-controlled Cyprus, according to US officials.

The deployment comes amid growing concerns of a full-scale conflict in the region, which could necessitate the evacuation of US citizens from Lebanon.

The Pentagon described the move as precautionary, with the troops preparing for various scenarios, including evacuation efforts.

Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed the deployment but declined to provide specific details about troop numbers or their exact mission.

Cyprus, located less than 500 kilometres from Israel, played a critical role in evacuating foreign nationals during Israel's 2006 war on Lebanon and could once again serve as a key hub for emergency operations.

The deployment coincides with ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon and Gaza. In addition Israel has also carried out sporadic strikes on Syrian territory.

In response, Hezbollah has launched multiple rocket attacks against Israeli sites, including the Ramat David air base and an attempted missile strike on Tel Aviv, which was intercepted by Israeli defenses.

With Israel’s military leadership signaling a possible ground invasion in southern Lebanon, fears of a broader regional conflict have intensified.

The US State Department has repeatedly urged American citizens to leave Lebanon while commercial flights are still available, warning of the increasing danger.

The UK has also dispatched 700 troops to Cyprus to prepare for potential evacuations of British citizens, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer advising British nationals in Lebanon to leave immediately.

US officials have expressed deep concern over the potential for the conflict to expand, particularly with the risk of Iranian involvement.

Iran, a key backer of Hezbollah, has not yet entered the fray but could intervene if it perceives Hezbollah to be under existential threat.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken claimed that the US is working diplomatically to prevent further escalation, while US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has stated the 'need for diplomacy' in his communications with Israeli officials.

As airstrikes continue to pound southern Lebanon and civilians flee in growing numbers, the international community watches anxiously, aware that the conflict’s outcome could have far-reaching consequences across the Middle East and beyond.

Flouting a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire, Israel has also continued a brutal offensive on Gaza since a Hamas attack last October 7.

Over the course of nearly a year, Israeli attacks have killed more than 41,000 people, mostly women and children, and injured over 95,500, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the territory amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel also faces accusations of genocide for its actions in Gaza at the International Court of Justice.

The divided and disputed island of Cyprus has been entangled in a long-standing conflict between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, despite numerous diplomatic efforts by the UN to broker a comprehensive resolution.

Ethnic violence in the early 1960s forced Turkish Cypriots into enclaves for protection.

In 1974, a coup by Greek Cypriots, aimed at dominating and unifying the island with Greece, led to Turkiye's military intervention as a guarantor power to protect Turkish Cypriots from persecution.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was established in 1983.

Since then, peace talks have been intermittent, with the most recent attempt, a 2017 summit in Switzerland, failing despite involvement from guarantor nations Turkiye, Greece, and the UK.