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Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
United States Navy aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) transits the Suez Canal, in this picture taken April 2, 2021 and released by U.S. Navy on April 3, 2021. (Reuters)
This comes as reports emerged that US was not informed of Israel’s airstrike on Hezbollah’s leader
The United States announced on Sunday that it is increasing its military presence in the Middle East amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has fueled fears of a full-fledged war in the region. In a statement, Pentagon officials said it will enhance defensive air support capabilities and maintain a state of heightened readiness for US forces as tensions rise in the region.
“The United States retains the capability to deploy forces on short notice. The Department of Defense continues to maintain a significant amount of capability in the region and to dynamically adjust our force posture based on the evolving security situation,” the US Defense Department (DOD) said.
“…This afloat posture is complemented by DoD’s elevated fighter and attack squadron presence, including F-22, F-15E, F-16, and A-10 aircraft, and we will further reinforce our defensive air-support capabilities in the coming days,” it added. It further said US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has also increased the readiness of additional forces to elevate the country’s preparedness for contingencies.
Hassan Nasrallah Killing
This development comes as the Israeli Air Force on Friday conducted a precise airstrike that killed Nasrallah chief Hassan Nasrallah, along with Ali Karaki, the commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front. Karaki was one of the remaining senior commanders in the organization.
The strike also eliminated over 20 other Hezbollah operatives of various ranks who were present at the underground headquarters in Beirut, which is located beneath civilian buildings. This comes as reports emerged the United States was not told in advance about Israel’s strike on Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut that killed Nasrallah.
No advance knowledge
President Joe Biden said on Friday the US had no advance knowledge of or participation in the Israeli airstrike, which Hezbollah said on Saturday killed its leader. US Defense Secretary also said he did not have any advance warning but spoke to his Israeli counterpart as the operation was already underway. On Friday, Austin declined to offer any assessment of the strike, amid speculation about the fate of the Lebanese militant group’s head.
Austin said he would be speaking with Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant again “soon” for an update. “We had no advance warning. My call with Minister Gallant took place while the operation was actually already underway,” Austin told reporters as he landed at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington after a trip to London.
The killing of Nasrallah could have far-reaching implications for the Middle East as Israel shifts its attention from its nearly year-old war with Iran-aligned Hamas in Gaza to operations against Hezbollah amid fears that strikes in Lebanon could trigger a wider war that draws in Iran.
(With agency inputs)
Read More: ‘On Short Notice’: US Boosts Military Presence In Middle East Amid Escalating Conflict
