عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Thousands of US Sailors, Marines Reach Middle East after Iran Tensions 

A US Navy sailor from USS Bataan (LHD 5) stands watch as the amphibious assault ship transits the Suez Canal, Egypt, with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), deployed to the US 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region, in this photo taken on August 6, 2023. (US Naval Forces Central Command/US 5th Fleet/Handout via Reuters)
A US Navy sailor from USS Bataan (LHD 5) stands watch as the amphibious assault ship transits the Suez Canal, Egypt, with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), deployed to the US 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region, in this photo taken on August 6, 2023. (US Naval Forces Central Command/US 5th Fleet/Handout via Reuters)
TT
TT

Thousands of US Sailors, Marines Reach Middle East after Iran Tensions 

A US Navy sailor from USS Bataan (LHD 5) stands watch as the amphibious assault ship transits the Suez Canal, Egypt, with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), deployed to the US 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region, in this photo taken on August 6, 2023. (US Naval Forces Central Command/US 5th Fleet/Handout via Reuters)
A US Navy sailor from USS Bataan (LHD 5) stands watch as the amphibious assault ship transits the Suez Canal, Egypt, with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), deployed to the US 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region, in this photo taken on August 6, 2023. (US Naval Forces Central Command/US 5th Fleet/Handout via Reuters)

More than 3,000 US military personnel have arrived in the Red Sea aboard two warships, as part of increased deployments after tanker seizures by Iran, the US Navy said Monday.

The US sailors and Marines entered the Red Sea on Sunday after transiting through the Suez Canal in a pre-announced deployment, the US Navy's Fifth Fleet said in a statement.

They arrived on board the USS Bataan and USS Carter Hall warships, providing "greater flexibility and maritime capability" to the Fifth Fleet, the statement added.

The US military says Iran has either seized or attempted to take control of nearly 20 internationally flagged ships in the region over the past two years.

USS Bataan is an amphibious assault ship which can carry fixed-wing and rotary aircraft as well as landing craft. The USS Carter Hall, a dock landing ship, transports Marines, their gear, and lands them ashore.

"These units add significant operational flexibility and capability as we work... to deter destabilizing activity and deescalate regional tensions caused by Iran's harassment and seizures of merchant vessels," Fifth Fleet spokesman Commander Tim Hawkins told AFP.

The deployment comes after Washington said its forces blocked two attempts by Iran to seize commercial tankers in international waters off Oman on July 5.

The maritime services in Iran said one of the two tankers, the Bahamian-flagged Richmond Voyager, had collided with an Iranian vessel, seriously injuring five crew members, according to state news agency IRNA.

In April and early May, Iran seized two oil tankers within a week in regional waters.

Those incidents came after Israel and the United States blamed Iran in November for what they said was a drone strike against a tanker operated by an Israeli-owned firm carrying gas oil off the coast of Oman.

The US announced last month that it would deploy a destroyer, F-35 and F-16 warplanes, along with the Amphibious Readiness Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit, to the Middle East to deter Iran from seizing ships in the Gulf.

Last week, a US official told AFP that Washington is also preparing to deploy Marines and Navy personnel aboard commercial tankers transiting the Gulf as an added layer of defense.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Metro, Train Fare Hikes Strain Egyptian Families

Cairo Metro ticket prices rise starting Thursday (Ministry of Transport)
Cairo Metro ticket prices rise starting Thursday (Ministry of Transport)
TT
TT

Metro, Train Fare Hikes Strain Egyptian Families

Cairo Metro ticket prices rise starting Thursday (Ministry of Transport)
Cairo Metro ticket prices rise starting Thursday (Ministry of Transport)

Sally Mohamed, a young worker in Cairo, was surprised to find that the fare for the Cairo Metro had increased from 15 to 20 Egyptian pounds during her commute from Helwan to Mohandessin on Thursday.
The new prices were being updated at the ticket counter as she bought her ticket.
On the same day, the Egyptian government raised fares for metro and train services by 25% to 33%, following a recent increase in fuel prices.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly had warned of such economic measures last month, which include raising service prices through the end of next year.
The fare hikes affect Egypt’s extensive rail network, which serves over 420 million passengers annually.
The highest increase was for the lower-priced “Tahya Misr” trains, at 25%, while third-class air-conditioned and ventilated Russian trains saw a 12.5% rise.
Mohamed now faces an additional 10 pounds in daily commuting costs due to the fare increase, which amounts to nearly a one-third rise in her monthly transportation expenses.
Since 2017, Cairo Metro fares have been rising after remaining at one pound for 11 years. The fare doubled initially and has since been adjusted several times, with current prices based on the number of stations traveled.
Mohamed is worried that her salary won’t keep up with the rising costs. She fears she may struggle to afford other necessities due to the increased fare.
She’s not alone; many on social media are criticizing the frequent fare hikes, especially on X, where users have expressed frustration with the rising costs.
The Cairo Metro fare has been raised for the second time this year, following a 20% increase in January. The metro serves about 4.5 million passengers daily, according to the Ministry of Transport.
Yasser Omar, a member of Egypt’s House of Representatives, explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that the fare hikes are necessary to keep services running and improve them amid global inflation.
He said the increases are part of a planned strategy to manage inflation and reduce losses for the Ministry of Transport due to the gap between service costs and ticket prices.