Hamas – Israel conflict: US increases forces in the Middle East

SGGPO 10/27/2023 11:43

Amid an increase in attacks on US forces in the Middle East, on October 26, the Pentagon announced that it would send about 900 more US troops to the region to enhance air defense capabilities and protect the country's forces.

Speaking to reporters, Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said US soldiers were attacked at least 12 times in Iraq and 4 times in Syria in the past week, with a total of 21 US soldiers suffering minor injuries.

US soldiers on duty at the US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, December 31, 2019. Photo: VNA

In the latest developments, Sham FM radio and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said that many attacks on US military bases in eastern Syria occurred on October 26.

According to SOHR, large explosions rocked the Koniko natural gas field, where a key US military base is located in the eastern Syrian province of Deir al-Zour, on the same evening. The cause of these explosions was attacks from areas under the control of the Syrian army and militia forces in the suburbs of Deir al-Zour, opposite the US military base.

In response to the attacks, US forces activated sirens, deployed troops and began monitoring the area with drones to monitor developments.

US defense system. Illustration photo: VNA

On the same day, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the US military had attacked two facilities in eastern Syria believed to be used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its affiliates. The head of the US Department of Defense emphasized that the above-mentioned self-defense strikes were a response to a series of ongoing attacks on US military personnel in Iraq and Syria since October 17.

According to SOHR, attacks on US military bases in Syria have increased since Israel launched a retaliatory attack campaign against the Hamas Islamic Movement in the Gaza Strip after gunmen of this movement suddenly attacked Israel on October 7.

Israeli military vehicles move in an area near the border with the Gaza Strip. Photo: VNA

Reuters news agency reported that this week, the US military is implementing new measures to protect its forces stationed in the Middle East, while leaving open the possibility of evacuating military families if necessary.

The measures include increased patrols, intelligence gathering via drones and other surveillance activities, according to US officials. The US is also stepping up surveillance from watchtowers at military bases, increasing security near bases and activities to counter potential threats from drones, missiles and rockets. The latest US troop movements are also linked to plans to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and Patriot missile batteries.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/xung-dot-hamas-israel-my-tang-cuong-luc-luong-tai-trung-dong-post711599.html