US travel ban and embassy drawdown in Lebanon

The United States (US) Department of State has issued a Level 4 travel advisory for Lebanon, urging American citizens not to travel to the country. The warning comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East, including the possibility of a US strike on Iran and continued instability along Lebanon’s southern border.

Compounding concerns were reports of a drone incident near Hamat Air Base and alleged movements toward the US Embassy in Awkar. Together, these developments have intensified anxiety both domestically and internationally.

The travel advisory and partial evacuation of US personnel

The Level 4 advisory (the highest in the State Department’s travel warning system) reflects Washington’s assessment that security risks in Lebanon have reached a critical threshold. The notice highlighted increased dangers in certain areas, particularly those near border regions, and urged Americans to review the advisory carefully before making travel decisions.

In parallel, the State Department ordered the departure of non-essential US government employees and their family members from Beirut. Approximately 40 embassy staff reportedly left through Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport. While the embassy remains operational, its staffing has been reduced to essential personnel only. Additional restrictions have been imposed on embassy staff, including the requirement for prior authorization for personal travel and the possibility of further limitations without advance notice.

US officials stressed that consular staff may not always be able to travel throughout Lebanon to assist American citizens, citing serious security threats against US government personnel in Beirut. These precautionary measures align with Washington’s broader regional posture, as it has bolstered its military presence in the Middle East to increase pressure on Iran amid renewed negotiations scheduled to resume in Switzerland.

The Hamat drone incident

Amid the volatile atmosphere in Lebanon and the region as a whole, reports emerged of an unidentified drone flying over Hamat Air Base in northern Lebanon. The base, operated by the LAF, hosts US personnel engaged in training and maintenance support missions. Initial rumors suggested that the drone might have been Iranian-made and that US forces had reacted aggressively, including allegations of confrontations with local officials and residents. Despite the fact that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) later dismissed such allegations, asserting that it had belonged to a civilian, fears of escalation nevertheless persisted.

These claims fueled public confusion and anxiety. Iranian media outlets even listed Hamat among what they described as “US bases under surveillance,” particularly “Base No. 9,” framing it as a potential and legitimate target in the event of a broader confrontation. Lebanese security sources, however, quickly moved to dispel these narratives, reaffirming that the base belongs to the Lebanese Army and must be treated in such manner.

Caution in Washington, uncertainty in Beirut

In a country as politically polarized as Lebanon, even minor incidents can be amplified and interpreted through the lens of regional rivalries. The mere suggestion that Hamat could be categorized as a US military base triggered alarm, despite official clarifications that American presence there is limited to training and logistical support, with no permanent combat deployment.

For Washington, however, the calculus is shaped not only by confirmed threats but also by the unpredictability of escalation. The possibility of a US strike on Iran raises the risk that American diplomatic facilities and personnel could become targets of retaliation by Tehran and its allied groups across the region (namely Hezbollah, the Houthis, Hamas, and Iraqi factions).

In this context, a reduction in embassy staff and a Level 4 advisory are precautionary measures rather than indicators of imminent conflict within Lebanon itself. From here, Lebanon once again finds itself navigating the fault lines of regional power struggles. Whether the current tensions decrease through diplomacy or escalate into confrontation will significantly shape the country’s immediate future. For now, caution prevails in Washington, and uncertainty lingers in Beirut.