US boosts military personnel in Middle East by 17%
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Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, the United States has upped its forces in the region, confirming its readiness to support and defend the occupation against any attack.
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Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh takes a question from a reporter during a news conference at the Pentagon, Friday, November 4, 2022, in Washington. (AP)
The United States is "closely" monitoring the situation in the Middle East in light of escalating tensions, the Pentagon said on Thursday.
Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said the US fortified its military force posture and capabilities across the Middle East to "defend Israel" and US forces deployed in the region, noting that the US remains "focused on de-escalating tensions in the region, while also postured for deterrence and the defense of Israel."
"The US government also remains very focused on securing a cease-fire as part of a hostage deal to bring all hostages home and to end the war in Gaza," she added.
Singh also refused to address the Pentagon's response to the Iranian retaliation against "Israel", saying "What I can tell you is -- we've increased and enhanced our regional presence so that to send a message of deterrence, to send a message that we don't want to see this widen out to a regional war, and when it comes to attacks on our forces, you've always seen us take measures we need in order to respond."
She also reiterated the US support of "Israel", saying if the occupation is attacked, Washington would come to its defense, giving the example of Operation True Promise on April 14.
Tom Crosson, a Pentagon spokesperson, also revealed that 40,000 US personnel have been deployed in the Middle East amid escalating tensions.
"There are approximately 40,000 US personnel in the US Central Command area of responsibility," when "Routinely, there are approximately 34,000 in the region," according to Crosson.
US to send more warships, jets to Middle East to protect 'Israel'
Earlier this month, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the deployment of additional naval warships, fighter jets, and anti-ballistic missile defense systems in the Middle East in anticipation of the Iranian and Resistance Axis response to the recent Israeli assassinations and aggressions.
"To maintain a carrier strike group presence in the Middle East, the Secretary has ordered the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN Carrier Strike Group to replace the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT Carrier Strike Group, currently on deployment in the Central Command area of responsibility," the Pentagon said in a statement.
Austin also ordered additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the US European Command and US Central Command regions, and increased readiness to deploy additional land-based ballistic missile defense, the statement added.
"These posture adjustments add to the broad range of capabilities the U.S. military maintains in the region, including the USS WASP Amphibious Ready Group / Marine Expeditionary Unit (ARG/MEU) operating in the Eastern Mediterranean," with over 4,500 sailors and marines onboard across the force.
Last week, Austin confirmed that "The U.S. F-22 Raptors that arrived in the region today represent one of many efforts to deter aggression, defend Israel, and protect U.S. forces in the region."
