(TheRedWire.com) – On Sunday Lloyd Austin, the Secretary of Defense stated that the United States was going to increase its presence in the Middle East due to the increased risk.
During an appearance on ABC’s “This Week” Austin stated that currently there was an “escalation of attacks” against Americans and American troops in the region. As a result, they were going to take action to ensure U.S. troops in the region were protected in their position and that if necessary they could respond.
He added that the increased presence was also going to send a message to those who were looking to expand the conflict and would also allow them to respond to possible attacks from Iran or Hezbollah in Lebanon. The administration also advised that any other group who was considering getting involved should stay out of the conflict. They added that the U.S. was going to maintain its right to defend itself and that it would take action whenever appropriate.
The United States has noted that increasing its military presence was going to act as a deterrent following the recent escalation in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Austin further stated that the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Strike Group would be redirected to the Eastern Mediterranean Sea where the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is already stationed.
In the announcement, he added that the U.S. would also be deploying the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery and the Patriot battalions in order to provide further protection for U.S. forces.
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