U.S. to deploy additional forces to the Middle East
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The U.S. is going to deploy additional forces to the Middle East region, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said on Friday.
Singh added that U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lolyd Austin, ordered the deployment of an additional fighter squadron to the Middle East, reinforcing the U.S. defensive air support capability.
In a press release Singh indicated that the Department of Defense continues “to take steps to mitigate the possibility of regional escalation” by Iran or Iran’s partners and proxies.”
This came following reports saying that Iran is planning to launch drones at Israel from Syria as part of its threatened retaliatory attack for the assassinations of two leaders of its affiliated groups last week.
Last week, Israel assassinated Lebanese Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, days after a rocket attack by the group that targeted a soccer field in Golan Heights and resulted in the killing of at least 12 children and teenagers. After that came the assassination of Hamas political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran.
“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 U.S. official noted.
Sabrina Singh concluded that the U.S. remains focused on de-escalation in the region.