US ramping up presence in Middle East to assist 'Israel': Pentagon

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
22 Oct 2023 07:33

The US defense chief claims the moves were in response to "recent escalations by Iran and its proxy forces across the Middle East."

In this image courtesy of DVIDS a US Army Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) launching station sits at the ready in Israel, March 4, 2019. (AFP)

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Sunday that the United States will deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-ballistic missile defense system, as well as additional Patriot battalions in the Middle East to enhance the security of US forces.

Austin confirmed in a statement that he "activated the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery as well as additional Patriot battalions to locations throughout the region to increase force protection for U.S. forces."

In addition, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group will be moved to the Central Command area of responsibility to join the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, which is currently operating in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, the statement read.

The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group aircraft carrier is making its way into the Mediterranean to support the Israeli aggression on #Gaza. pic.twitter.com/o7dvP61neW
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 10, 2023

The US defense chief also ordered additional troops to be placed on standby "to increase their readiness and ability to quickly respond as required." However, he did not say how many additional US troops would be deployed to the region.

Austin claimed that said in a statement that the moves were in response to "recent escalations by Iran and its proxy forces across the Middle East."

He added that "these steps will bolster regional deterrence efforts, increase force protection for U.S. forces in the region, and assist in the defense of Israel."

It is noteworthy that so far, 45 cargo planes transporting weapons from the US to "Israel" have been confirmed to have been received by the Israeli occupation forces, according to information released by the Israeli Security Ministry.

Among the military aid sent were "around 1,000 tons of armaments," military vehicles and supplies, medical equipment, and military ambulances, according to a post on X.

Since the start of the Palestinian Resistance's Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, parties of the Axis of Resistance have made it clear that with its unwavering support to the Israeli occupation, the United States is complicit in the crimes against the Palestinian people.

Recently, several US occupation bases in Iraq and Syria have been subject to drone and rocket attacks. Iraqi Resistance factions have warned the United States against funding and supporting Israeli war crimes against Gazans. Iraqi factions had previously pledged that they "will not stand idly by in the face of the ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza."

In addition, a US warship positioned near the coasts of Yemen intercepted a heavy barrage of missiles and drones over the span of nine hours, a US official said, as quoted by CNN. According to the media outlet, the US warship, USS Carney, an Arleigh-Burke intercepted four cruise missiles and 15 drones over nine hours as they were heading north along the Red Sea. The Pentagon suggested that the missiles's trajectory indicates that they were most likely headed to occupied Palestine to strike Israeli positions.

According to a CNN analysis by Ben Wedeman, recent attacks on the United States military presence in the Middle East indicate that Washington could be dragged into the war on Gaza.

While the US continues to offer aid to "Israel', along with stationing aircraft carriers nearby for "support", Wedeman believes that this could mean a direct involvement in a war.

More importantly, Wedeman notes that whereas in past wars like the invasion of Iraq, the US now is being forced to respond to "events largely out of its control" and does not have the luxury of deciding the "time, place, and scale of attack."

He emphasizes that this exposes the US presence as extremely vulnerable, like in Syria and Iraq.

And in this dangerous terrain, according to the author, the vulnerabilities of the sprawling American military presence across the Middle East are glaringly obvious.