US to send 12 defense systems to Mideast as Gaza invasion looms – WSJ
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – As Israel braces to invade the Gaza Strip, the Pentagon is swiftly working to deploy 12 air-defense systems to Syria, Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, to protect US troops deployed there from potential missile and rocket attacks, reported the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday.
According to US and Israeli officials cited by the newspaper, Israel has agreed to postpone its invasion of the Gaza Strip until the Pentagon completes the deployment of the air-defense systems in the region, which is expected to be finalized by later this week.
Also on Wednesday, US Department of Defense spokesman Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said in an interview with Sky News Arabia that the objective of reinforcing the US military presence in the region following the outbreak of Israel-Hamas war is to deter escalation and to protect their forces in Syria and Iraq.
A day earlier, Ryder said that US troops stationed in Iraq and Syria have faced 13 attacks between Oct. 17-24, involving both drones and rockets.
Pentagon officials have attributed all the attacks to Iran, although there is currently no evidence directly linking Iran to these assaults.
On Oct. 18, 20 US military personnel were injured as two one-way attack drones targeted al-Tanf military base in southern Syria near the border with Iraq and Jordon, according to the NBC, citing CENTCOM.