Military bases under attack, US urgently builds shields in the Middle East

Căn cứ quân sự bị tấn công dồn dập, Mỹ cấp tập dựng lá chắn ở Trung Đông - 1 — THAAD missile defense system (Photo: Sputnik).

The Wall Street Journal quoted US and Israeli officials on October 25 as saying that Israel had accepted a US request to delay a ground attack on the Gaza Strip to allow Washington time to set up air defense systems to deal with attacks on US military forces in the Middle East.

According to sources, the US Department of Defense is in the process of deploying about 11 air defense systems to the Middle East to protect US troops in Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates from potential rocket and missile attacks.

Previously, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed on October 21 that Washington would deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system and "additional Patriot battalions to locations across the Middle East to enhance the protection of US forces."

Israeli officials have reportedly agreed to halt preparations for an offensive on Gaza until US defence systems are deployed in the Middle East, possibly by the end of this week.

Israel is also considering plans to provide humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza as well as diplomatic efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, officials told the Wall Street Journal .

Axios news site quoted US officials as saying that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to delay a ground attack on the Gaza Strip, as he is reviewing current plans of military commanders.

Mr Netanyahu is said to want time to try to negotiate the release of hostages held by Hamas and to allow the Israeli military to better prepare for a ground operation into the Gaza Strip.

Sources say US President Joe Biden also does not want Israel to rush into a ground operation in Gaza and intends to buy more time for its Middle Eastern ally.

Washington is concerned that the Israeli military has yet to outline a clear military path to achieve the goal of "eradicating" Hamas as Prime Minister Netanyahu declared.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said on October 24 that the country's military was forced to delay a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip due to concerns about potential "death traps." The diplomat said Israel was taking the time to improve its readiness for the situation.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned on October 22 that Washington would retaliate if the US military became a target in the Israel-Hamas war.

Iraqi armed groups with ties to Iran have recently warned that they will attack US targets in the Middle Eastern country with missiles and drones if Washington intervenes to support Israel against Hamas in Gaza.

According to Pentagon officials, US troops have been attacked by drones and missiles at least 10 times in Iraq and three times in Syria since October 17. Washington has accused Iran-backed militias of being behind the attacks.

Attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria have increased since the Hamas-Israel conflict erupted on October 7. The US has sent naval forces to the Middle East in the past two weeks, including two aircraft carriers, other warships and about 2,000 Marines.

The US currently maintains about 2,500 troops in Iraq, while up to 1,000 US troops are deployed in Syria, controlling key oil fields and crossing points on the Euphrates River with the support of Kurdish-led militias.

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