Washington. The United States reported this Sunday that it maintains a strong military presence in the Middle East after deploying reinforcements amid fears of an escalation linked to Israel’s attacks against hundreds of targets in Lebanon.
“We already have a very robust military capability to defend ourselves and to help Israel defend itself,” White House Homeland Security spokesman John Kirby said in an interview with ABC, adding that more forces have been deployed since Iran launched hundreds of rockets and drones against Israel in April.
In a statement, the Pentagon said Sunday that an aircraft carrier and a Navy expedition unit were ordered to continue operating in the eastern Mediterranean and that these forces were supported by a “heavy presence” of warplanes.
The United States “will further strengthen (its) defensive air support capabilities in the coming days,” said Defense Department spokesman Major General Pat Ryder.
Kirby reiterated his country’s concern about the expansion of the conflict in the Middle East, but also Israel’s “right” to “eliminate the threat to its people and its territory,” alluding to Hezbollah.
“Almost from the beginning of the conflict we have been concerned that it would turn into a regional war,” he said.
Fears increased over the possibility that Israel would launch a ground incursion into Lebanon, capitalizing on the momentum and support from the United States after killing Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah and other figures of the armed group.
Despite the atmosphere of crisis, Kirby expressed that the United States has no imminent plans to evacuate its citizens from Lebanon, but reiterated the call for them to leave that country while they can.
The spokesman said it was too early to say who will take over leadership of Hezbollah after Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli bombing raid in Beirut on Friday.
#maintains #strong #military #presence #Middle #East #attacks #Lebanon
– 2024-10-02 23:32:52
