NATIONAL NEWS

Pentagon says 900 US troops have deployed or are deploying to Middle East

Oct 26, 2023, 3:09 PM

FILE - The Pentagon is seen in this aerial view made through an airplane window in Washington, Jan....

FILE - The Pentagon is seen in this aerial view made through an airplane window in Washington, Jan. 26, 2020. U.S. officials say the number of suicides in the U.S. military and their families dipped slightly in 2022, compared with the previous year. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

(CNN) —Roughly 900 US troops have been deployed or are deploying to the Middle East amid heightened tensions in the region after a series of attacks on coalition bases that resulted in minor injuries for almost two dozen troops.

“These include forces that have been on prepare to deploy orders, and which are deploying from the continental United States,” Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters on Thursday. “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.”

Ryder added that the deploying units would not be going to Israel and are “intended to support regional deterrence efforts and further bolster US force protection capabilities.”

The Pentagon previously announced the deployment of the THAAD and Patriot batteries.

Israeli troops conduct brief raid in Gaza to ‘prepare’ for an expected full-scale incursion

As the war between Israel and Hamas continues, the US is seeking to send a strong message to adversaries to prevent the conflict spreading more widely in the region.

CNN has reported that the US has intelligence that Iranian-backed militia groups are planning to ramp up attacks against US forces in the Middle East, as Iran seeks to capitalize on the backlash in the region to US support for Israel.

Ryder said Thursday that between October 17th and 26th, US and coalition forces have been attacked “at least 12 separate times in Iraq, four separate times in Syria, by a mix of one-way attack drones and rockets.”

A total of 21 US service members have received minor injuries as a result of attacks between October 17 and 18, CNN reported Wednesday. Of those, 19 — 15 at Al Assad Air Base in Syria, and four at Al-Tanf Garrison in Iraq — have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI), Ryder said.

All have since returned to duty, he added, and there have been “no injuries or no reported cases of TBI since the 17th and 18th of October.”

An attack on Thursday, Ryder said, targeted Erbil Airbase and was “unsuccessful” with no casualties and “some minor damage to infrastructure.” 

Google Maps and Waze temporarily disable live traffic data in Israel

The announcement on Thursday comes after the Pentagon put roughly 2,000 US troops on prepare to deploy orders last week, which Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said were focused on providing “air defense, security, logistics, medical, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and transportation” support.

That is in addition to US troops already in Iraq and Syria – roughly 2,500 and 900, respectively – and Navy assets that were announced to be heading to the region. The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group has been directed to the Middle East, and the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is currently in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

Asked Thursday to explain the delay in response to attacks on US forces, Ryder said the US military maintains “the inherent right of defending our troops and we will take all necessary measures to protect our forces and our interests overseas.”

“As it relates to these groups, again, we know that these are Iranian-backed militia groups that are supported by Iran, and of course, we hold Iran responsible for these groups,” he said.


The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

KSL 5 TV Live

National News

President Donald Trump is pictured before boarding Air Force One at the Naval Air Station Joint Res...

Jill Colvin, Associated Press

Trump says he has directed US Treasury to stop minting new pennies, citing rising cost

President Donald Trump says he has directed the Treasury Department to stop minting new pennies, citing the rising cost of producing the one-cent coin.

3 hours ago

Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean (33) scores a touchdown after intercepting a pass ...

Associated Press

Eagles deny the Chiefs a Super Bowl three-peat with dominant defense in 40-22 rout

Cooper DeJean, Josh Sweat and the Philadelphia Eagles’ ferocious defense denied Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs a Super Bowl three-peat.

4 hours ago

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 09: (L-R) Ed Kelce, Ashley Avignone, Alana Haim, Ross Travis, Tay...

CNN

Taylor Swift channels Chiefs fans everywhere as Eagles etch big lead at halftime

Taylor Swift showed up to Super Bowl LIX in “Style.”

7 hours ago

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One where Trump signed a proclamation d...

Jill Colvin, Associated Press

Trump says he is serious about Canada becoming 51st state in Super Bowl interview

President Donald Trump said he is serious about wanting Canada to become the 51st state in an interview that aired Sunday during the Super Bowl preshow.

9 hours ago

This photo provided by Booking.com shows Booking.com's 2025 Super Bowl NFL football spot....

DEE-ANN DURBIN, MAE ANDERSON and WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS, AP Business Writers

Super Bowl commercials rely on comedy and nostalgia to avoid potential missteps

Super Bowl commercials this year are going for the laughs, feels and nostalgia to avoid potential missteps.

14 hours ago

Photo shows wreckage of Alaska plane crash....

Karina Tsui, CNN

All 10 victims of the fatal Alaska plane crash have been recovered, officials say

All 10 victims of the fatal Alaska plane crash off the coast of western Alaska have been recovered, authorities said Saturday.

1 day ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

Pentagon says 900 US troops have deployed or are deploying to Middle East