Biden-Harris admin deploys thousands of US troops to Middle East amid increasing conflict

The Biden-Harris administration announced Monday that a “few thousand” more troops would be deployed to the Middle East to enhance the security of those already on the ground and potentially to defend Israel as it now raids sites in Lebanon, AP reported.

It is the second time in a week that the administration has announced an escalation in US troop strength in the Middle East, where the war between Israel and terrorist groups Hamas and Hezbollah continues to grow. The additional personnel raises the total number of US troops in the war theater to 43,000. The administration is also sending more fighter jet squadrons, Pentagon public affairs officer Sabrina Singh told reporters.

These assets include F-15E, F-16, and F-22 fighter jets and A-10 attack aircraft. Pilots and ground crew will also be deployed with the aircraft. The aircraft and personnel were supposed to replace those already in-theater but the Pentagon has now decided against any rotation of forces, AP noted.

The augmentation is occurring right after Israel has expanded the war in Lebanon with increased airstrikes in Beirut that resulted in the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Israel’s growing threat of mounting a ground offensive in Lebanon aimed at Hezbollah, which has been launching rocket attacks on Israel for months.

On Sunday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that he was temporarily extending the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier. The USS Harry S. Truman, left Norfolk, VA last week headed for the Mediterranean Sea and can provide backup to the Lincoln as required. It is expected to arrive next week.

The flurry of deployments is further repudiation of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ claim during the debate against former President Donald Trump in early September that there is "not one member of the US military in active duty in a combat zone — in any war zone around the world."

President Joe Biden said Monday, “I’m more aware than you might know” about reports that Israel is planning a ground war with Lebanon after almost a year of war in Gaza. Biden claimed he was pushing for a ceasefire. “I’m more aware than you might know, and I’m comfortable with them stopping. We should have a cease-fire now.”