Chinese naval task force spotted near Middle East; Carrier Strike Group redirected.
War Drums: Carrier Strike Group Diverted as Chinese Naval Task Force Prowls Off Middle East
In a small change that could have major meaning amid the military chess moves taking place in the Middle East, the U.S. is changing its plans for the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group.
The change could place the strike group in waters where Chinese warships have been active in recent months.
Last week, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that the Eisenhower strike group would head to the eastern Mediterranean instead of Europe as had been planned. Sailing in the eastern Mediterranean would have put the strike group to the west of Israel.
But that plan changed after a week in which U.S. forces in Syria and Iraq came under fire from Ian-backed militias, and a U.S. Navy ship in the Red Sea downed missiles launched from Yemen.
In the incident, the nine-hour duel saw the USS Carney down four cruise missiles and 15 drones, CNN reported.
On Saturday, Austin said in a statement the strike group will now go to the “Central Command area of responsibility.”
Central Command covers a vast amount of Middle East territory, including the Persian Gulf and Red Sea. Being based there puts the strike group closer to Iran, which has made rumblings about punishing Israel over its response to the massacre of Israelis conducted by the Hamas terror group.
Austin said the change is accompanied by having more forces ready for rapid deployment.
“I have also 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,” he said.
BREAKING: MIDDLE EAST
China Navy is sending up to 6 warships in Middle East over past week amid rising tensions from Israel-Gaza war pic.twitter.com/kOgf7nW1Uc
— The Coastal Journal (@1CoastalJournal) October 21, 2023
American ships will not have the Persian Gulf to themselves. China has up to six of its warships stationed there, according to the South China Morning Post.
The 44th China Naval Escort Taskforce has been in the region since May.
Chinese ships recently docked in the Gulf nations of Oman and Kuwait,
Austin explained the change in plans in an interview with ABC.
“We’re concerned about potential escalation. In fact, what we’re seeing is the prospect of a significant escalation of attacks on our troops and our people throughout the region,” he noted.
“And because of that, we’re going to do what’s necessary to make sure that our troops are in the right position, they’re protected and that we have the ability to respond,” Austin added.
Although there had been conflicting information over whether the missiles fired at the USS Carney were aimed at the ship or bound for Israel, Austin said they were aimed at the ship.
“When you have cruise missiles heading towards one of our DDGs, one of our destroyers, that vessel is going to do what it needs to do to protect itself,” he said.
Austin said his hope was that the growing U.S. military presence in the region would deter a wider war.
“If any group or any country is looking to widen this conflict and take advantage of this very unfortunate situation that we see, our advice is: don’t. We maintain the right to defend ourselves, and we won’t hesitate to take the appropriate action,” Austin said.
The post War Drums: Carrier Strike Group Diverted as Chinese Naval Task Force Prowls Off Middle East appeared first on The Western Journal.
How have recent hostile incidents in Syria, Iraq, and the Red Sea influenced the decision to divert the strike group and deploy additional forces in the Central Command area?
China’s naval task force has made its presence known in the Middle East, as tensions continue to rise in the region. The United States has responded by diverting its USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, potentially bringing it within proximity of Chinese warships.
Originally scheduled to head to Europe, the Eisenhower strike group will now sail to the eastern Mediterranean. This change of plans is significant, as it puts the strike group in waters where Chinese warships have been active in recent months. This move could have far-reaching implications for the ongoing military maneuvers taking place in the Middle East.
The decision to redirect the strike group came in the aftermath of several hostile incidents involving US forces in Syria, Iraq, and the Red Sea. Backed by Iran, militias targeted American troops in Syria and Iraq, while missiles launched from Yemen were intercepted by a US Navy ship in the Red Sea. In a fierce confrontation, the USS Carney successfully downed four cruise missiles and 15 drones.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin explained that the strike group will now be deployed in the Central Command area of responsibility. This area encompasses a vast amount of Middle East territory, including the Persian Gulf and Red Sea. The strategic positioning of the strike group puts it closer to Iran, a country that has expressed intentions of taking action against Israel in response to its handling of the recent Hamas-led attacks.
Furthermore, Austin revealed that additional forces are being prepared for rapid deployment. The activation of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery and the deployment of extra Patriot battalions throughout the region will enhance force protection for US forces. These measures demonstrate the seriousness of the situation and the US commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its military assets in the Middle East.
The presence of a Chinese naval task force in the Middle East adds a new dimension to the already complex dynamics of the region. The growing tensions resulting from the recent Israel-Gaza conflict have likely influenced China’s decision to send up to six warships to the area over the past week. This development highlights the importance of maintaining a vigilant and proactive approach in the face of evolving security challenges.
In conclusion, the diversion of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group to the Central Command area of responsibility signifies a significant shift in the region’s military landscape. The presence of Chinese warships in the Middle East adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation. The US response, including the deployment of additional forces and enhanced force protection measures, demonstrates a commitment to preserving stability and safeguarding American interests in the region. As war drums continue to sound, it becomes increasingly crucial to monitor these developments closely and maintain a proactive approach to security in the Middle East.
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