United States Department of Defense (DoD) press secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed on Thursday that 900 troops are in the process of being deployed to the Middle East in order to strengthen the country's presence in the region, including air defense operators.
"These include forces that have been preparing to deploy orders and which are deploying from the continental United States," Ryder said, but clarified that the soldiers are not being sent to Israel. The decision came amid repeated attacks on American bases and troops in the region.
In addition, the Pentagon official announced that Washington will transfer two Iron Dome missile defense batteries to Israel as the conflict continues to rage between Hamas and the Israeli army.