US strengthens presence of its forces in Middle East to protect Zionist entity

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (YPA) – US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, announced on Sunday that the United States will deploy a “THAAD” missile battery and additional “Patriot” missiles in the Middle East in anticipation of any escalation in the region to protect the Zionist entity.

Austin said, in a statement published on the Pentagon website, “After extensive discussions with President Joe Biden regarding the recent escalation throughout the Middle East region, today I directed a series of additional steps to strengthen the Department of Defense’s position in the region.”

He considered that these steps would strengthen regional deterrence efforts, increase force protection for American forces in the region, and help defend Israel.

Austin explained that he had ordered the movement of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower to be redirected to the Central Command area of responsibility, pointing out that “the aircraft carrier strike group is in addition to the US aircraft carrier strike group Ford, which is currently operating in the eastern Mediterranean.”

Austin stated that he had directed the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier to the Central Command area of responsibility, stating that the strike group is in addition to the US aircraft carrier strike group Ford currently operating in the eastern Mediterranean.

“I have also activated the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Battery as well as additional Patriot battalions to locations throughout the region to increase protection for U.S. forces,” he said.

He added that he had placed “an additional number of forces on standby to deploy orders as part of prudent emergency planning, to increase their readiness and ability to respond quickly as required.”

US Secretary of Defense indicated that he would continue to evaluate the requirements for placing forces in the region and consider deploying additional capabilities as necessary.

YPA