عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

US to Send Air Defense Systems to Middle East

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. (AFP)
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. (AFP)
TT
20
TT

US to Send Air Defense Systems to Middle East

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. (AFP)
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. (AFP)

The US will send a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and additional Patriot air defense missile system battalions to the Middle East, the Pentagon said on Saturday, in response to recent attacks on US troops in the region.

"Following detailed discussions with President Joe Biden on recent escalations by Iran and its proxy forces across the Middle East Region, today I directed a series of additional steps to further strengthen the Department of Defense posture in the region," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement.

Austin said he was placing additional troops on prepare-to-deploy orders but did not say how many.

The United States has sent a significant amount of naval power to the Middle East in recent weeks, including two aircraft carriers, their support ships and about 2,000 Marines.
Washington is on heightened alert for activity by Iran-backed groups as regional tensions soar during the Israel-Hamas war.

The deployments come two years after Biden's administration withdrew air defense systems from the Middle East, citing a reduction in tensions with Iran.

Most Viewed

 
Arab World

Jordan Outlaws Muslim Brotherhood, Confiscates Assets, Offices

The official spokesman for the Jordanian government during the announcement of the details of the arrest of terrorist cells last week (Petra)
The official spokesman for the Jordanian government during the announcement of the details of the arrest of terrorist cells last week (Petra)
TT
20
TT

Jordan Outlaws Muslim Brotherhood, Confiscates Assets, Offices

The official spokesman for the Jordanian government during the announcement of the details of the arrest of terrorist cells last week (Petra)
The official spokesman for the Jordanian government during the announcement of the details of the arrest of terrorist cells last week (Petra)

Jordan outlawed the Muslim Brotherhood and confiscated its assets on Wednesday after members of the group were found to be linked to a sabotage plot, Interior Minister Mazen Fraya said.

Jordan said last week it had arrested 16 Muslim Brotherhood members, saying they were plotting attacks involving rockets and drones on targets inside the kingdom. Jordan also attributed a foiled plot in 2024 to a Muslim Brotherhood cell in Jordan.

According to Reuters, Fraya said all the activities of the group would be banned and anyone promoting its ideology would be held accountable by law.

The ban includes publishing anything by the group and closure and confiscation of all its offices and property, he added.

Fraya said Muslim Brotherhood members had planned attacks on security targets and sensitive locations in the kingdom, aiming to destabilize the country, but did not disclose what these targets were.

Security forces said last week they had found a rocket manufacturing facility alongside a drone factory where short-range rockets were being developed, with at least one missile ready to be launched.