Significant Increase in UK Military Flights to Lebanon
The UK has deployed over 80 military transport planes to Beirut, Lebanon, since the onset of Israel’s conflict with Gaza nine months ago, as reported by Declassified UK on June 28. These flights originate from the extensive Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus, a key point for UK military operations in West Asia.
Frequency of Flights and Potential Implications
Declassified UK has observed a substantial increase in UK military flights to Beirut recently. The organization tracked 25 flights in April and May, with 14 more recorded in June alone. These flights take approximately 45 minutes to reach Beirut from the Akrotiri base. Israel has hinted at potential bombing campaigns in Beirut, especially if a full-scale war with Hezbollah, the Lebanese resistance movement, were to break out.
Ministry of Defense’s Secrecy and Assumptions
The UK Ministry of Defense has remained tight-lipped about the specifics of these flights, including their frequency or cargo details. An anonymous defense source mentioned that the primary objective of these flights is to facilitate senior military interactions with the Lebanese army. However, it is widely believed that these planes are transporting weapons to Beirut, intended for anti-Hezbollah militias. The United States, United Kingdom, and Israel are likely to leverage these militias against Hezbollah if an Israeli invasion from the south occurs.
Types of Aircraft and Potential Threats
Most of the Royal Air Force flights to Lebanon have been conducted using the Voyager KC mark 2 aircraft, capable of carrying 45 tons of cargo and 291 personnel or providing air-to-air refueling. Additionally, some flights have utilized the large C-17 cargo planes. This increased military activity coincides with rising Israeli threats to invade Lebanon.
Strategic Military Plans and Regional Tensions
Israeli military leaders have openly discussed plans to push Hezbollah away from the border and past the Litani River. Recently, the Israeli army approved operational plans for an offensive in Lebanon, with the US promising support in the event of full-scale conflict. Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has warned that the resistance movement will retaliate with its extensive rocket and missile arsenal if Israel initiates an invasion.
Nasrallah’s Warning to Cyprus
Nasrallah has also issued a warning to Cyprus, highlighting its role as a staging ground for US, UK, and Israeli military operations. He cautioned that if Cypriot airports and bases are used to target Lebanon, Cyprus will be considered a participant in the war, and Hezbollah will respond accordingly. This warning implicitly includes the Akrotiri base, a British sovereign territory in Cyprus that serves as a significant military and intelligence hub for both the UK and the US.
