In light of the rising tensions in the Middle East, the US Department of Defense has placed more troops on “prepare-to-deploy” status. After the unexpected Hamas strike on Israel on October 7, the Pentagon had already placed armed personnel on “high alert.”
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday “placed approximately 2,000 personnel and a range of units on a heightened state of readiness through a prepare-to-deploy order,” Sabrina Singh, a Pentagon spokesperson, said.
A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Battery and more Patriot Surface-to-Air Missile Batteries are also now being delivered to the area to help with aerial defense, according to the open source military intelligence X account OSINT Defender.
The U.S. Navy deploys two carrier groups to the area to reinforce friends and act as a potent deterrence to Iran.
In October, two strong American aircraft carrier attack groups were sent to the eastern Mediterranean. On October 8, the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group departed, followed on October 14 by the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group.
Pentagon Announces Military Preparedness for a Growing Armed Conflict
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group has been strategically moved to the Central Command area of responsibility. With the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group presently in control of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, this action strengthens our troops. With this strengthening, we are significantly improving our capacity to meet any foreseeable difficulties.
We have placed a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery and extra Patriot battalions in key sites all around the region to increase the safety measures for our U.S. personnel.
I have allotted more forces for quick deployment to increase our preparation for any circumstance. This tactical choice increases our preparedness and guarantees a prompt reaction when required.
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This week has seen a spike in violent attacks on American military targets and allies.
‘Slightly injured’ U.S. personnel were the result of drone assaults on Iraq’s Al-Asad Air Base, according to military reports. The drones suffered harm or were destroyed.
According to CENTCOM, a third drone was destroyed by American forces during a strike in Northern Iraq. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries.
“In this moment of heightened alert, we are vigilantly monitoring the situation in Iraq and the region. U.S. forces will defend U.S. and Coalition forces against any threat,” What is said regarding the drone attacks in the CENTCOM statement.
According to the Associated Press, a group with Iranian support has admitted responsibility for the drone strike on Al-Harir Air Base.
As of October 21, 2023, the alleged umbrella organization, the Iranian-aligned Islamic Resistance in Iraq, has claimed responsibility for the following crimes:
- October 17, 2023: drone attack on Al-Asad Air Base in Western Iraq.
- October 17, 2023: drone attack on Harir base in Iraqi Kurdistan. This attack was initially claimed by Al-Warithuun (Tashkil al-Waritheen, or the Inheritors) before a superseding claim was issued by al-Muqawama al-Islamiyah fil Iraq and the Warithuun claim was removed in deference.
- October 19, 2023: drone attack on Al-Tanf garrison in Syria.
- October 19, 2023: rocket attack on U.S. base at Conoco gas field in Syria.
- October 19, 2023: rocket attack on Al-Asad Air Base in Western Iraq.
- October 20, 2023: drone attack on Harir base in Iraqi Kurdistan.
- October 21, 2023: drone attack on Al-Asad Air Base in Western Iraq.
Pro-Hezbollah organizations report that the Al-Asad airfield was targeted once more on Saturday, according to OSINT researcher Justen Charters.
A guided-missile destroyer, the USS Carney (DDG-64), “shot down” three missiles and many drones on Thursday that were launched from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen.
“This action was a demonstration of the integrated air and missile defense architecture that we have built in the Middle East and that we are prepared to utilize whenever necessary to protect our partners and our interests in this important region. There were no casualties to U.S. forces and none that we know of to any civilians on the ground,” Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon’s press secretary, informed journalists.
Are regional conflicts in the Middle East about to break out? The increase in assaults on American forces and the Pentagon’s preparedness to send soldiers and cutting-edge weaponry raise the chance that it will happen.
accountable for the murder of 31 Americans and the hostage-taking of an undetermined number of others.
In order to avoid their direct involvement in the current conflict, efforts are being undertaken to diplomatically isolate Iran and Hezbollah.
Former spymaster and Saudi prince Turki al-Faisal sharply slams Hamas for its attack on Israel. He also raises the prospect of bettering ties, portraying Saudi Arabia as a key ally in the fight against future Iranian aggression.
