The Pentagon overnight said it will send two of its most powerful weapons against missiles to the Middle East and prepare an unspecified number of troops to deploy overseas after “recent escalations by Iran and its proxy forces” continue to threaten a wider war in the region.
US troops emplace a launching station of the Patriot air and missile defense system at a test range ... [+]
The U.S. will send a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and additional Patriot air defense missile system battalions "to locations throughout the region," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement, adding that he has placed an “additional number” of American troops on prepare-to-deploy orders.
Austin did not say how many battalions would be sent or exactly where they would be going, nor did he specify the number of troops under new orders—the U.S. has already sent two aircraft carriers, their support ships and about 2,000 Marines to the Middle East, Reuters reported.
The news of additional military support comes shortly after Hamas released two American hostages “for humanitarian reasons"—the number of hostages held by Hamas is believed to be around 200 as Israeli Defense Force officials say 203 Israelis are being held, while Hamas says it’s taken 200 hostages and other militant groups have 50 people held, according to Reuters.
The Biden administration withdrew air defense systems from the Middle East two years ago, citing reduced tensions with Iran, but there have been an increasing number of moves against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria with at least six attacks since the Hamas invasion of Israel on October 7. A military base in Syria used to train U.S. troops was hit by drones Thursday, officials told the Associated Press. One caused minor injuries and another drone was shot down. Rockets hit another military base hosting U.S. forces near Baghdad’s international airport last week and, on Sunday, more rockets targeted the Ain al-Asad air base, which hosts U.S. and other international forces in western Iraq. A U.S. Navy ship near Yemen shot down three land attack cruise missiles and several drones on Thursday, which Reuters reported were fired by Iranian-backed Houthis.
Leaflets have reportedly been dropped on northern Gaza urging residents to flee south amid what multiple news outlets have called an "imminent" ground invasion by Israel. "Your presence north of the Gaza Valley puts your life in danger," the leaflet reads in Arabic, per NBC. A military spokesperson told reporters Saturday that Israel planned to step up its attacks on the Gaza strip this weekend. The U.S. and its allies have warned against a prolonged occupation of Gaza and urged any movement be carefully planned to avoid civilian casualties, CNN reported this week. Of the estimated 200 to 250 hostages being held by Hamas, 10 are believed to be American. About 500 total Americans are trapped inside Gaza, but not all are hostages. U.S. officials have been working to secure safe passage out of the region via the Rafah border crossing into Egypt.
"I pray and I am close to all those who are suffering," Pope Francis posted on X. "I renew my appeal for spaces to be opened, for humanitarian aid to continue to arrive, and for the hostages to be freed."