US sends more troops to Middle East amid surge in violence between Israel and the forces of "Hezbollah” in Lebanon, which increases the risk of a larger regional war, the Pentagon announced, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
Pentagon Press Secretary Gen. Pat Ryder did not provide details on how many additional forces there are or what they will be tasked with doing. The US currently has about 40,000 military personnel in the region.
The new additions come after significant strikes by Israeli forces against targets in Lebanon that have killed hundreds of people, and as Israel prepares to launch new operations and the State Department warns Americans to leave Lebanon because of the risk of regional war is increasing.
"Due to the unpredictable nature of the ongoing conflict between "Hezbollah" and Israel and the recent explosions throughout Lebanon, including Beirut, the US Embassy is urging American citizens to leave Lebanon while civilian transportation options are still available, the State Department warned on Saturday.