Beirut:<Text>

The US Embassy in Beirut on Friday urged US citizens to leave Lebanon while commercial flights remain available, warning that the security situation remains 'volatile and unpredictable' amid ongoing airstrikes, drone activity, and rocket fire across the country.

According to Anadolu Agency, in an advisory, the embassy said attacks have been reported in southern Lebanon, the Beqaa region, and parts of the capital Beirut. The advisory highlighted that Iran and its aligned terrorist militias may intend to target universities in Lebanon and that Iran has specifically threatened American universities across the Middle East.

The embassy also urged Americans in southern Lebanon, border areas with Syria, refugee settlements, and Beirut's southern suburbs to depart immediately. It advised citizens who choose to remain to prepare 'contingency plans' and be ready to shelter in place if the situation deteriorates further.

Commercial flight s are currently operating through Middle East Airlines from Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport. The embassy pointed out that Americans should strongly consider departing on one of these flights if they believe it is safe to do so.

The security warning comes as Israel has pounded Lebanon with airstrikes and launched a ground offensive in the south following a cross-border attack by Hezbollah on March 2. Lebanese authorities reported that nearly 1,368 people have been killed and 4,138 others wounded in the Israeli assault.