Amid the ongoing escalation between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, the US is sending additional troops to the Middle East.
The Pentagon said on Monday that this move comes in response to the recent surge in violence between both sides which has increased the risk of a broader regional war, reported the Associated Press (AP).
More US Troops
The Pentagon press secretary, Air Force Major General Patrick Ryder, told reporters on Monday: “In light of increased tension in the Middle East and out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional US military personnel forward to augment our forces that are already in the region.”
Ryder declined to disclose the number of the deployed troops or specify their task. “But for operational security reasons, I’m not going to comment on or provide specifics,” he said.
Right now, the US has around 40,000 troops deployed in the Middle East. It also has a Marine amphibious ready group in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, including the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, to help in the case of an evacuation.
Aircraft Carrier Movements
On Monday, the aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman, along with two Navy destroyers and a cruiser, headed from Norfolk, Virginia, to the Sixth Fleet area in Europe on a regularly scheduled deployment.
This has raised speculations that the US could keep the Truman and the Arabian-Gulf-based carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln, in the region in case the security situation further deteriorates.
In the light of this, US officials said they expect a decision this week on whether the USS Abraham Lincoln will stay in the Middle East or head to the Asia-Pacific.
The Truman aircraft carrier will take about two weeks to enter the Mediterranean Sea. Although having two carrier strike groups in the same time in the Middle East is relatively rare, the carriers and their warships have overlapped for several weeks on a couple occasions since the spark of violence between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah.
Tensions Escalation
The recent deployment comes against a backdrop of an unprecedented spark in violence between Israel and Hezbollah, the deadliest in two decades.
Last week, pager and walkie-talkie devices used by Hezbollah members exploded, killing at least 12 people and injuring thousands, including civilians. In turn, Hezbollah blamed Israel and vowed revenge.
On Friday, the Lebanese group launched a barrage of rockets into northern Israel. Later on the same day, Israel responded with a strike in Beirut that killed a senior Hezbollah commander and dozens of people.
Early Sunday, the Iranian-backed Hezbollah launched a wave of rockets deeper into northern Israel, some of which reached the city of Haifa. In response, Israel launched hundreds of strikes on Lebanon.
On Monday, Israeli forces struck targets inside Lebanon, killing at least 490 people, including over 90 women and children, and forcing tens of thousands of people to flee southern Lebanon.
Fears of Broader War
The escalating tensions have raised concerns over an all-out war that could involve the US and Iran, according to Reuters.
Experts worry about the possibility of Iran’s intervention if Hezbollah’s existence is threatened, and the targeting of US troops in the region if a regional war erupts.
With regards to this, Major General Ryder reiterated that the US “remains postured to protect US forces and personnel and determined to deter regional actors.” He added that the US has “more capability in the region today than we did on April 14th when Iran conducted its drone and missile attack against Israel.”
Calls for De-escalation
In a bid to reduce tensions and prevent the outbreak of a broader regional war, a senior State Department official told the AP that the US has “concrete ideas” to restore calm along the Israel-Lebanon border.
He added that the US will present those ideas to allies and partners this week on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly meeting.
Similarly, Saudi Arabia expressed its deep concern over the ongoing security developments in Lebanon and warned of the risks of violence escalation on the region’s security and stability. The Kingdom also called on the international community and influential parties to fulfill their roles and responsibilities to end the conflicts in the region.