US deploys thousands of troops to Middle East as tensions rise
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The latest attacks on US positions in the region include a strike on the US military's Victoria base near Baghdad Airport, occurring overnight Monday.
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The Ukrainian Air Force's F-16 fighter jets fly in an undisclosed location in Ukraine, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024. (AP)
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters on Monday said the US is increasing its military presence in the Middle East by deploying a "few thousand" additional troops.
According to a statement, this includes bringing in new units and extending the stay of those already stationed there.
"A certain number of units already deployed to the Middle East region... will be extended and the forces due to rotate into theater to replace them will now instead augment" those that are already there, Singh said.
"These augmented forces include F-16, F-15E, A-10, F-22 fighter aircraft and associated personnel," Singh added, noting that there will be "an additional few thousand" personnel in the region as a result.
This comes in light of heightened escalations amid the start of "Israel's" "localized and targeted" aggression of Lebanon.
The latest attacks on US positions in the region include a strike on the US military's Victoria base near Baghdad Airport, occurring late Monday into Tuesday.
The Yemeni Armed Forces have also struck Israeli military targets earlier today using long-range multi-purpose one-way assault Samad 4 drone.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah continues its operations targeting Israeli movements within the occupied Palestinian territories.
Iran also launched a response to the Israeli assassinations of martyrs Haniyeh, Sayyed Nasrallah, and General Nilforooshian earlier, launching hundreds of rockets toward occupied Palestine.
Heightened escalations
On Monday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed support to Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant for "dismantling attack infrastructure" belonging to Hezbollah.
Austin also warned Iran of "serious consequences" should it directly strike "Israel" in retaliation for attacks on the Lebanese Resistance group.
Read more: Pentagon raises troop readiness fearing potential Iranian attack
On Tuesday, Hezbollah Political Council member Mahmoud Qomati said in an interview with Al Mayadeen that Hezbollah's allies "will intervene if the battle expands."
Qomati warned that southern Lebanon "will become a graveyard for the occupation forces" should they enter, highlighting the Resistance's vast arsenal of unused weapons and the fighters' readiness to engage with Israeli forces.
Addressing observers, Qomati said the Resistance was rebuilt immediately following the assassination of Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.
Read more: Hezbollah set for long battle; we shall emerge victorious: Deputy SG
The legacy of Sayyed Nasrallah is well-maintained, he said, adding, "his trust is in our hands and will remain so with every leader and fighter."
Qomati also reiterated Hezbollah's stance, which had been affirmed by the late Secretary-General since the beginning of the Israeli occupation's war on Gaza, stressing that the party "will not halt its support unless a comprehensive proposal is put forward, including a ceasefire in Gaza."
