US deploys 300 additional troops to Middle East, now totaling 1,200.
The United States to Deploy Additional Troops to the Middle East
The Pentagon has announced that the United States will send 300 more troops to the Middle East in response to recent attacks on U.S. and Coalition forces in Iraq and Syria.
According to Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, these forces will be deployed to undisclosed locations in the Middle East, excluding Israel.
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While the previous troops focused on air defense, the 300 troops being deployed now will primarily handle support tasks such as communications and explosive ordnance disposal, as stated by Gen. Ryder.
The purpose of these troops is to prevent the Israel-Hamas War from escalating into a regional conflict and to protect U.S. service members from further attacks.
“They are intended to support regional deterrence efforts and further bolster U.S. force protection capabilities,” Gen. Ryder explained.
New Attacks by Iran-Backed Groups
Gen. Ryder revealed that there have been 27 attacks on U.S. troops by Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria throughout October.
“Right now, we’re tracking a total of 27 attacks,” Gen. Ryder said. “16 in Iraq, 11 in Syria.”
The Pentagon has consistently emphasized that these attacks are separate from the ongoing Israel-Hamas War. However, Iran and the involved groups have stated that they will increase their attacks on U.S. troops if Israel launches a full-scale invasion of Gaza.
“Our forces are in Iraq and Syria for one purpose, which is the enduring defeat of ISIS,” Gen. Ryder clarified. “This is separate and distinct from the situation in Israel, between Israel and Hamas.”
These attacks have resulted in injuries to at least 21 American service members, including 19 diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries. Fortunately, all have recovered and returned to duty.
In addition to rocket and drone attacks on U.S. and Coalition bases, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have launched several medium-range cruise missiles.
Although the missiles’ exact targets remain unknown, they were shot down because they posed a threat to the vessel.
“We cannot say for certain what these missiles and drones were targeting, but they were launched from Yemen heading north along the Red Sea, potentially toward targets in Israel,” Gen. Ryder stated at the time.
In response to these developments, the United States conducted two retaliatory strikes on facilities in Syria associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, designated as a terror organization by the U.S.
The Biden administration has asserted its right to retaliate against Iran at its own discretion.
“We know that these groups are funded, trained, and sponsored by the Iranian government,” Gen. Ryder affirmed. “And we hold the Iranian government responsible.”
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