| Evacuation of Greek and Cypriot nationals from Lebanon | |
| Partof: | Israel-Hezbollah war |
| Type: | Evacuation |
| Location: | Beirut, Lebanon |
| Coordinates: | 33.8211°N 35.4883°W |
| Planned By: | Greek Ministry of National Defence, Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Objective: | Evacuate Greek and Cypriot nationals from Lebanon |
| Executed By: | Hellenic Armed Forces
|
| Outcome: | Successful evacuation |
As a result of the Israeli ground operation in Lebanon after Hezbollahs attacks on Israel, various foreign governments decided to evacuate their citizens from Lebanon.[1] Cyprus activated the "Estia" plan to accommodate for this, including the evacuation of both Greek and Cypriot nationals in conjunction with the Greek government.[2] As a result of this, an operation, codenamed "Kosmos" was given for the Non-combatant evacuation operation.[3]
On late Tuesday evening, October 2, 2024, Cyprus activated the "Estia" plan after the Iranian strikes against Israel, which included the evacuation of its own citizens from Lebanon.[4] [5] Cyprus through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense requested an aircraft from Greece to assist in the evacuation of Cypriot nationals from Lebanon and as such, a joint operation, codenamed "Kosmos" was drafted by the Hellenic National Defence General Staff which aimed to evacuate Greek and Greek Cypriot nationals from Beirut International Airport.[6] [7]
A Hellenic Air Force C-130 took off from an undisclosed airfield on the morning of October 3 and landed at Beiruts airport near enough midday. By approximately 13:00, the C-130 landed at Larnaca International Airport, dropping off the Cypriot nationals and taking off for again for Greece.[8] [9] In total, 60 citizens were successfully evacuated.[10] [11] In the operation, the Hellenic Air Force with a unit from the Special Warfare Command for security were used with the operation being monitored by the Greek Ministry of Defense, the Greek and Cypriot Ministries of Foreign affairs and being in co-ordination with both Israeli and Lebanese authorities.[12] [13]
The Greek Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias thanked everyone for their co-operation in the operation and added that he was fully aware of all movements in the operation until the enterance of the aircraft in the Nicosia FIR which signalled mission completion.[14] The Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated from Orestiada "I was informed with pleasure that the operation that was undertaken by the Ministry of National Defense, to transport securley, our Greek and Cypriot citizens from Beirut airport was completed" further adding, "Once again, our Armed Forces are capable of completeing these types of operations, whever they may be needed and above all, to protect our citizens, Greek and Cypriots".[15] The Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Constantinos Kombos extended his warmest gratitude to the Greek government for assisting in the operation.[16]