00:00White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt has announced a plan by the administration
00:03of Donald Trump to bring American citizens home from the Middle East following a military
00:07operation known as Operation Epic Fury.
00:10During a press briefing, Levitt said the U.S. government is working to assist Americans
00:13who may be stranded in the region as tensions and security concerns increase.
00:17According to the White House, more than 17,000 Americans have already returned to the United
00:21States since the start of the military campaign.
00:23Levitt outlined a three-step process designed to help remaining U.S. citizens safely return
00:28home.
00:28The first step asks Americans currently in the Middle East to register with the U.S.
00:33State Department.
00:34Officials say, Registration allows the government to identify citizens in the region and communicate
00:38directly with them.
00:39The second step involves the State Department and nearby U.S. embassies contacting registered
00:44citizens to provide travel information and available options for leaving the region.
00:48The third step encourages Americans to monitor official State Department updates on social
00:52media and to use emergency hotlines if they require assistance.
00:55During the briefing, some reporters questioned why a full evacuation plan was not announced
00:59before the military operation began.
01:01Levitt responded by stating that the State Department had previously issued travel advisories
01:05warning Americans against traveling to parts of the Middle East.
01:08A journalist also raised concerns about reports from Americans who said they contacted the State
01:12Department hotline but were initially told they would need to arrange their own travel plans.
01:16Levitt acknowledged the issue and confirmed that the hotline system had since been updated and
01:21corrected to provide assistance to callers.
01:23She also said the administration would not publicly share details about evacuation flights, citing
01:27security concerns.
01:29Meanwhile, officials confirmed that six U.S. service members were killed after an unmanned
01:33aircraft system struck a command center in Port Shwaiba, Kuwait.
01:36Authorities later identified four of the victims as Captain Cody Cork, Sergeant Noah Teechens,
01:41Sergeant Nicole Amer, and Sergeant Declan Cody.
01:44The White House says, and Blythe says efforts are continuing to assist Americans in the region
01:49and coordinate safe travel options for those who want to return home.
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