Pentagon sending nearly 900 troops to Middle East: Spokesman

WASHINGTON

Pentagon is sending 900 troops to the Middle East, spokesman Pat Ryder said Thursday.

"I can confirm that since our initial force posture announcement, approximately 900 troops have subsequently deployed or are in the process of deploying to the US Central Command Area of Responsibility," Ryder told reporters.

"These include forces that have been on prepare to deploy orders, and which are deploying from the continental United States," Ryder said. “Deployed and deploying units include a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery from Fort Bliss Texas, Patriot batteries from Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Patriot and Avenger batteries from Fort Liberty, North Carolina, and associated air defense headquarters elements from Fort Bliss and Fort Cavazos, Texas."

The spokesman noted that the additional reinforcements are not going to Israel and are intended to support regional deterrence efforts and further bolster US force protection capabilities.

He said the US is also planning to provide the two US Iron Dome systems currently in the inventory to Israel "to help further bolster their air defense capabilities and protect citizens from rocket attacks."

The move comes amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas that has escalated since Oct. 7.

Washington has strengthened its position in the Middle East due to the risk of a widening conflict, feared to escalate with the involvement of both state and non-state actors perceived as hostile to Israel.