US prepares for expanding war in Middle East
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
The US has maintained a heightened military presence in the Middle East, with around 50,000 troops, more than 10 warships, and four Air Force fighter squadrons currently deployed in the region, reports the AP.
US forces are distributed across the region both to protect allies and as a deterrent against potential attacks, several US officials stated in a comment to the agency.
Military ships
The USS Abraham Lincoln and its three destroyers are currently stationed in the Gulf of Oman, while two US destroyers are in the Red Sea. The guided-missile submarine USS Georgia, which Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin sent to the region last month, has been in the Red Sea and remains under US Central Command, though officials declined to specify its exact location.
In the eastern Mediterranean, six US warships are present, including the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit on board. Additionally, three US destroyers are in the same area.
Approximately half a dozen F/A-18 fighters from the USS Abraham Lincoln have been relocated to a ground base in the region.
Aircrafts
Last month, the Air Force deployed an additional squadron of advanced F-22 fighters, bringing the total number of squadrons of ground-based fighters in the Middle East to four.
These forces also include a squadron of A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft, F-15E Strike Eagles, and F-16 fighters. The Air Force has not disclosed the countries from which these aircraft are operating.
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah
Yesterday, on September 19, the Israeli Air Force struck several Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted multiple launch sites used by Hezbollah, as well as other militant installations.
Hezbollah claims that Israel has crossed a red line and has vowed to continue the rocket attacks it initiated following the assault by Iran-backed Hamas on Israel on October 7, which marked the beginning of the war in Gaza.
