Germany, amid the escalation of the Middle East conflict, deployed special forces to Cyprus in order to be able to evacuate its citizens in the event of further escalation.
This was reported by the German publication Bild, citing sources in the security forces of Germany.
Why did Germany transfer special forces to Cyprus?
According to Bild, the German Armed Forces sent representatives of the special forces command with equipment to Cyprus.
The Bundeswehr also redeployed to the island parts of the command of the special forces of the Naval Forces, the core of which are combat swimmers.
The publication cites the possible expansion of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as the reason for the transfer: the Bundeswehr wants to be able to evacuate German citizens from Lebanon from the sea.
It is noted that the forces of GSG 9, a special forces unit of the German police that specializes in rescuing hostages, have also been redeployed to Cyprus.
According to the publication, we are talking not only about the Germans being held hostage by the Palestinian Hamas movement, but also about those who worked in the Gaza Strip and want to urgently evacuate. At the same time, there are German military transport aircraft C-130 and A400M in the region.
It is also reported that the German government has informed the Bundestag politicians responsible for security issues that all forces available for such operations are on standby.
Thus, the German authorities are ready for various scenarios in the Middle East, the publication summarizes.
Exacerbation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict
The Middle East conflict escalated sharply after Hamas fighters entered Israel from Gaza as part of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, announced by the movement.
Israel responded by launching attacks on Gaza, declaring Operation Iron Swords. The sector is under complete blockade; supplies of electricity, water, food, and medicine have been stopped.
There are also clashes in the West Bank of Jordan. In addition, the IDF is carrying out strikes in Syria and Lebanon.
According to the latest figures from the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the strikes in Gaza killed nearly 3,500 people and injured more than 12,000. On the Israeli side, about 1,400 were killed and more than 4,200 were wounded.
