“Some 2,000 American soldiers were placed on alert for a possible deployment in the Middle East in support of Israel, at war with Hamas” announced, today Tuesday, October 17, 2023, the US defense ministry.
“Today, the Minister of Defense, Lloyd Austin, has placed some 2,000 soldiers and a series of maximum alert units through an order of preparation for deployment, in order to increase the ability of the American defense to respond quickly to an evolutionary security situation in the Middle East,” said a statement from the US ministry.
“No decision was made regarding the deployment of troops at the moment,” insisted the Ministry of Defense, adding that Lloyd Austin continued to assess the American posture and remained in close contact with its allies and partners in the region.
The forces concerned could carry out advice and medical assistance missions, according to Pentagon officials cited under the guise of anonymity. This pre-deployment order reduces the time the troops need to be ready to move.
Lloyd Austin had already announced, last Saturday, the sending by the United States of a second aircraft carrier to the eastern Mediterranean, in order to “dissuade hostile actions against Israel or any effort aimed at expanding this war”.
