The US Department of Defense deployment seeks to deter and protect US troops in the region
The United States Department of Defense decided to send 300 soldiers to the United States Central Command in the Middle East. This action is intended to prevent outside groups from escalating the conflict between Israel and Hamas. In addition, it seeks to protect US troops already in place from possible attacks using drones supported by Iranian-backed militias, as announced by the Pentagon.
These 300 soldiers are part of a larger contingent of 2,000 US troops who have been on alert for deployment within 24 hours since earlier this month. This move is a response to the attacks carried out on October 7 by the militant group Hamas against Israel.
Air Force Brigadier General Pat Ryder explained that these additional troops will provide explosive ordnance disposal capabilities, communications, and other types of support to the forces already in the region.
Although the exact destination of these troops has not been revealed, it has been confirmed that they will not be sent to Israel. Its main purpose is to support regional deterrence efforts and strengthen the protection capabilities of US forces in the area.
These soldiers join a significant increase in US military presence in the region, which includes the deployment of two aircraft carrier strike groups, an amphibious unit with a Marine Expeditionary Unit, Air Force fighter squadrons, and Army air defense units.
Since October 17, US forces in Iraq and Syria have been subject to 27 drone strikes, 16 in Iraq and 11 in Syria. Six of these attacks occurred after the United States bombed facilities in Syria linked to Iranian-backed militias. Most of the drones were intercepted or did not reach their targets.
So far, 21 US military personnel have been injured, mostly concentrated on October 17 and 18.
