US Deploys More Forces to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions, Pentagon Reports

By Phil Stewart

WASHINGTON – The United States is deploying a small number of additional troops to the Middle East amid rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to the Pentagon. Specific details regarding the number of troops or their mission were not disclosed.

Air Force Major General Patrick Ryder, a spokesperson for the Pentagon, stated, "Out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional U.S. military personnel forward to augment our forces that are already in the region."

As Israel refocuses its attention on its northern border after nearly a year of conflict with Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah has been launching rockets into Israeli territory in support of Hamas.

On Monday, Israel’s military conducted significant strikes against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley, and northern areas near Syria. Among these strikes was an attack on the southern suburbs of Beirut, targeting senior Hezbollah leader Ali Karaki, who oversees operations on the southern front, according to a security source.

The Biden administration is attempting to contain the conflict to Gaza and has consistently advocated for a diplomatic resolution to the tensions at the Israel-Lebanon border. This message has been reinforced by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin through regular communications with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Experts have raised concerns about the potential involvement of Iran should Hezbollah face significant threats, and the possibility exists that U.S. personnel could become targets if a broader regional conflict were to erupt.

During their Sunday call, Austin emphasized that no outside parties should interfere in the situation. The Pentagon subsequently stated, "The Secretary made clear that the United States remains postured to protect U.S. forces and personnel and is determined to deter any regional actors from exploiting the situation or expanding the conflict."

U.S. military assets in the region include the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group, fighter jets, and air defense systems. Ryder noted, "We have more capability in the region today than we did on April 14th when Iran conducted its drone and missile attack against Israel."

These combined resources provide options to safeguard U.S. forces in the event of attacks. Ryder referenced Iran’s earlier assault involving over 300 missiles and drones, which resulted in limited damage in Israel due to successful interceptions by U.S., British, and allied air defense systems. This incident marked Iran’s first direct attack on Israel.