PodcastTurkey evacuates citizens from Lebanon by ship amid safety concerns
Nearly 2,000 Turkish citizens and their family members were set to leave Beirut on two Turkish navy landing ships after humanitarian aid was unloaded. The evacuation occurred over concerns for their safety as Israel intensifies its attacks on Lebanon.
Reuters & Duvar English
Nearly 2,000 Turkish citizens and family members prepared to leave Beirut on two Turkish navy landing ships on Oct. 9, evacuating from Lebanon over fears for their safety as Israel intensified its attacks against the country.
Soldiers look at a Turkish vessel at Beirut's port, Lebanon, Oct. 9, 2024. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
Those gathering at the port said the deteriorating security situation and economic hardship in Lebanon prompted them to flee on the ships, which left Turkey on Tuesday.
"We cannot take this situation anymore. No one knows where this country is taking us. The siege is becoming bigger," said Issa Malak, who like many of the evacuees holds Lebanese as well as Turkish citizenship. "There is no bread here. There is no future in Lebanon."
Issa Malak, a Lebanese Turkish citizen, looks on next to his uncle who's ill, after an Interview with Reuters TV as they wait to register for boarding the Turkish navy ships to leave Lebanon.
The ships first unloaded humanitarian aid upon arriving in Beirut. Turkey's Defense Ministry said they were carrying some 300 tons of supplies.
Workers unload aid from a Turkish vessel at Beirut's port.
"There are beds, tents, blankets, food parcels, kitchenware and hygiene kits," Turkish Ambassador Ali Baris Ulusoy told state-owned Anadolu news agency.
A soldier stands guard near a Turkish vessel at Beirut's port.