(Washington) The United States announced Saturday evening a strengthening of its military presence in the Middle East due to “recent escalations by Iran and its affiliated forces” in the region.
A high-altitude anti-missile defense system (THAAD) as well as several Patriot surface-to-air missile batteries will be deployed “across the region,” Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced in a statement.
He added that “additional” military forces would be placed on “pre-deployment” status, to “increase their readiness and ability to respond as quickly as necessary.”
“These measures will strengthen regional deterrence efforts, increase the protection of American forces in the region and contribute to the defense of Israel,” continued Mr. Austin, specifying that he would continue to “assess the needs” of the American system in the region and “would consider deploying additional resources if necessary”.
The head of the Pentagon specified that he had made this decision “after discussion with President Biden” but did not give the number of additional American soldiers who would be deployed.
More than 1,400 people have been killed on Israeli territory by Hamas men since October 7, the majority of civilians mowed down by bullets, burned alive or dead from mutilations on the first day of the attack by fighters of the Palestinian Islamist movement carried out in from Gaza, according to Israeli authorities.
According to the Israeli army, around 1,500 Hamas fighters were killed in the counter-offensive which allowed Israel to regain control of the attacked areas.
In the Gaza Strip, at least 4,385 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed in incessant bombings carried out in retaliation by the Israeli army, according to the Hamas Ministry of Health.