Important Pentagon statement. Soldiers are ready
The head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, has announced that the US will direct additional air defense systems to the Middle East. This is a response to recent attacks on American soldiers in this region and the war between Israel and Hamas. Additional American soldiers are also "ready for deployment".
"After in-depth discussions with President Joe Biden about Iran's recent escalatory actions and its proxy forces throughout the Middle East region, I ordered today a series of additional actions to strengthen our defensive positions in this region" - states the declaration of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
These moves include - as he specified - sending to the Middle East a THAAD air defense system (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) and additional battalions of Patriot air defense systems.
Soldiers "ready for deployment"
In addition, as Austin reported, additional soldiers have achieved "ready to deploy" status, although he did not disclose their numbers. The Pentagon had previously granted such status to about two thousand soldiers.
Reuters reminds that US forces are on high alert due to the activities of Iran-backed groups during Israel's war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Patriot systems are considered the most advanced in the American air defense arsenal. Many US allies are vying for them. The THAAD system is equipped with a powerful radar capable of penetrating large areas of the enemy's airspace.
