According to a New York Post report, the U.S. is sending more troops to the Middle East amid escalations in fighting between Israel and terror group Hezbollah.
Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder didn’t provide details on troop numbers; there are currently 40,000 U.S. troops in the region.
“In light of increased tension in the Middle East and out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional US military personnel forward to augment our forces that are already in the region. But for operational security reasons, I’m not going to comment on or provide specifics,” Ryder said.
From The New York Post:
The new deployments come after significant strikes by Israeli forces against targets inside Lebanon that have killed hundreds and as Israel is preparing to conduct further operations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday warned Lebanese civilians in a videotaped message to evacuate their homes ahead of further airstrikes. He spoke as Israeli warplanes continued to strike alleged Hezbollah targets in southern and eastern Lebanon.
The State Department is warning Americans to leave Lebanon as the risk of a regional war increases.
“Due to the unpredictable nature of ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel and recent explosions throughout Lebanon, including Beirut, the US Embassy urges US citizens to depart Lebanon while commercial options still remain available,” the State Department cautioned Saturday. Ryder would not say if those additional forces might support the evacuation of those citizens if needed.
“Given the tensions, given the escalation, as I highlighted, there is the potential for a wider regional conflict. I don’t think we’re there yet, but it’s a dangerous situation,” Ryder said.
More over at The New York Post:
US sending more troops to Middle East as latest Israel-Hezbollah fighting sparks fear of all-out war https://t.co/KLfiOLItjw pic.twitter.com/JSrDvIP1q3
— New York Post (@nypost) September 23, 2024
