THAAD components, associated US troops arrive in 'Israel': Pentagon
3 Min Read
US begins deployment of THAAD anti-air system to "Israel", stating that the battery will be fully operational in the near future.
-
US Air Force shows the US Army Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) launching station preparing to load onto a 4th Airlift Squadron C-17 Globemaster III at Fort Bliss, Texas, on February 23, 2019. (AP)
An advanced team of US military personnel, along with the initial components required to operate the THAAD anti-ballistic missile defense system, has arrived in "Israel", the Pentagon announced on Tuesday.
In a statement, the Pentagon said, "Yesterday, October 14, an advance team of US military personnel and initial components necessary to operate the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery arrived in Israel."
The statement indicated that more US military personnel and THAAD battery components will be arriving in "Israel" over the coming days, adding that the battery will be fully operational in the near future.
"The deployment of the THAAD battery to Israel underscores the United States' commitment to the defense of Israel and to defend Americans in Israel from any ballistic missile attacks by Iran," the statement said.
According to THAAD technical specifications previously reviewed by Sputnik, the United States may deploy around 100 troops to "Israel" to operate the THAAD battery.
Earlier this week, the US planned the immediate transfer of the THAAD missile defense system to "Israel" in response to "increasing threats of ballistic missile attacks from Iran," Ynet reported.
The decision comes as regional tensions have escalated, particularly after Iran's recent retaliatory strike on "Israel".
It also comes despite US warnings urging "Israel" to avoid targeting critical Iranian infrastructure, including nuclear and oil facilities, amid concerns that such an escalation could destabilize the region further.
Tehran is reportedly bracing for a possible response from "Israel" after reports emerged suggesting that the Israeli leadership has agreed to strike back.
Read next: Sending THAAD to 'Israel', Biden deepens involvement in war: WaPo
On October 1, dozens of missiles hit their designated target, with reports indicating that over 400 missiles and projectiles had been launched from Iran toward the occupied Palestinian territories.
The IRGC released a statement following the launch of the response, saying "We have targeted the heart of the occupied territories in response to the assassination of martyrs Haniyeh, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and Nilforooshan."
The statement also warned "Israel", stating, "If the Zionist regime retaliates against the Iranian operation, it will face violent consequences." In response, "Israel" threatened to target Iranian nuclear and oil sites but later retracted its threats, limiting its focus to "military targets".
