Canadian Armed Forces 'pre-positioning' ahead of possible evacuation from Lebanon as tensions mount

The Canadian Armed Forces is "pre-positioning" assets in case its fleet is needed to evacuate Canadians from Lebanon amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, according to government officials. 

Over the weekend, a Canadian Globemaster aircraft, used in humanitarian and peacekeeping missions, was spotted on a flight tracking website in the region.

In a statement late Tuesday night, the Department of National Defence said the military is "currently pre-positioning assets in the Eastern Mediterranean region" in case evacuation planning and logistical support is needed.

"The forward positioning of assets is part of standard CAF preparatory activities that support planning and liaison activities with other government departments and agencies, as well as information sharing between Allies to ensure optimal situational awareness in the region," said the statement.

The preparations come after continued warnings from the federal government for the roughly 20,000 Canadians living in Lebanon to leave as the threat of a wide-scale war between Israel and Iranian-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah mounts..

"If you are in Lebanon, come back home. If tensions escalate, the situation on the ground may not allow us to help you, and you won't be able to leave," Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly urged in a social media post last week. 

Fears over a full-blown war were triggered after the leader of Hezbollah told supporters the militant group's conflict with Israel has entered "a new phase" and vowed to avenge the killing of its military commander last week.

Adding to those concerns is Iran's anger over the assassination in Tehran last week of the head of the militant group Hamas.

Israel has not confirmed or denied involvement.