777peso US touts ‘robust’ military presence in Middle East as crisis grows
Smoke billows after an Israeli strike on a village near the southern Lebanese city of Tyre on September 29, 2024. Agence France-Presse
WASHINGTON — The United States said Sunday that it had a strong military presence in the Middle East after deploying reinforcements amid Israel’s widening of the war to include hundreds of targets in Lebanon.
With Israel pressing on with a bombing campaign against Hezbollah and with its campaign in Gaza, White House national security spokesman John Kirby characterized the US deployment as “robust,” without providing details.
Article continues after this advertisement“There is already a very robust military capability to defend ourselves and to help defend Israel,” Kirby said on US broadcaster ABC, adding that more forces had been sent since Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones against Israel in April.
FEATURED STORIES GLOBALNATION Putin hosts summit to show West it can't keep Russia off global stage GLOBALNATION China says it reached 'resolution' with India on contested border issues GLOBALNATION P100,000 reward up for info on missing US vlogger in ZamboangaREAD: Biden says Hezbollah leader’s killing a ‘measure of justice’
In a statement, the Pentagon on Sunday said an aircraft carrier strike group and a Marine expeditionary unit have been ordered to keep operating in the eastern Mediterranean and that these forces were backed by an “elevated presence” of warplanes.
Article continues after this advertisementThe United States “will further reinforce our defensive air-support capabilities in the coming days,” Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder said.
Article continues after this advertisementKirby reiterated that the United States was concerned about a widening of the conflict in the Middle East, but also asserted Israel’s right to “eliminate this threat to their people and to their land,” referring to Hezbollah.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: US urges citizens to leave Lebanon while flights available
“We’ve been concerned, almost since the beginning of this conflict, about it broadening, widening, becoming a regional war,” Kirby said.
Article continues after this advertisementFears are growing that Israel might launch ground operations in Lebanon, capitalizing on its momentum and US support after killing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and other top figures in the armed group.
Despite the atmosphere of acute and growing crisis, Kirby said the United States had no imminent plans to evacuate its citizens from Lebanon, but urged its people to get out while they can.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
He said it was too early to say who would assume the leadership of Hezbollah after Israel killed Nasrallah in an air strike in Beirut on Friday.777peso
READ NEXT Sampaloc Elementary School Main hosts Quezon Province’s firs... Japan set for October 27 snap election – reports EDITORS' PICK WPS: US missile deployment to PH key for combat readiness – US general Central Visayas’ most wanted killed in shootout in Argao, Cebu Marcos smiled, walked away when asked about VP Duterte’s accusation SC issues TRO vs Comelec resolution on dismissed public officials VP Sara Duterte says she still sees Sen. Marcos as a 'friend' Party-list system: What to know ahead of 2025 polls MOST READ SC issues TRO vs Comelec resolution on dismissed public officials Tropical Storm Kristine slightly intensifies; Signal No. 2 in 5 areas LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Storm Kristine Walang Pasok: Class suspensions on Wednesday, Oct. 23 View comments