WASHINGTON: The United States is deploying a “small number” of additional troops to the Middle East in response to escalating tensions in the region, the Pentagon said Monday, as fears mount of a broader regional conflict.
The Pentagon announced this development, emphasizing the need for caution Israel launched massive strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder stated that the decision was made “in light of increased tension in the Middle East, and out of an abundance of caution.” While he refrained from disclosing specific details regarding the troop deployment for security reasons, he confirmed that the US maintains thousands of military personnel, along with warships, fighter jets, and air defense systems in the region to protect its forces and allies, particularly Israel.
Ryder expressed concern over the potential for the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah to escalate further. “Clearly there is the potential for these tit-for-tat operations to spiral out of control into a wider regional war, which is why it’s so important that we resolve the situation through diplomacy,” he cautioned.
The recent escalation in violence has seen Israel strike hundreds of Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, marking a significant intensification in hostilities. On Monday, Israeli strikes killed at least 274 people in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, world powers have urged both Israel and Hezbollah to de-escalate and seek diplomatic solutions to prevent an all-out war. The situation has shifted sharply, with hostilities moving from Israel’s southern front with Gaza to its northern border with Lebanon.
