Second US Aircraft Carrier Arrives in Middle East

File photo of the US aircraft carrier "Eisenhower"  in the Red Sea (AFP)
File photo of the US aircraft carrier "Eisenhower" in the Red Sea (AFP)
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Second US Aircraft Carrier Arrives in Middle East

File photo of the US aircraft carrier "Eisenhower"  in the Red Sea (AFP)
File photo of the US aircraft carrier "Eisenhower" in the Red Sea (AFP)

The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and accompanying destroyers have arrived in the Middle East, the US military said Wednesday, after the country's defense secretary ordered the strike group to accelerate its speed, AFP reported.

The carrier's arrival brings the number in the region to two -- at least temporarily, as the Lincoln is to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt -- at a time of heightened fears of regional conflict following high-profile assassinations claimed by, or blamed on, Israel.

"USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), equipped with F-35C and F/A-18 Block III fighters, entered the US Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of responsibility," the military command responsible for the Middle East said on social media.

"The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 3, is accompanied by Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21 and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9," it added.

The Pentagon said on August 11 that US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had ordered the Lincoln to "accelerate its transit" to the Middle East, after directing its deployment to the region at the beginning of the month.

Fears of a major escalation have mounted since Hezbollah and Iran vowed to respond to twin killings blamed on Israel late last month.

An Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs killed a top Hezbollah commander, Fuad Shukr, shortly before an attack in Tehran blamed on Israel killed Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh.



Israeli Airstrike Targets Senior Hezbollah Figure in Beirut

People gather in front of a damaged building after an Israeli military strike at the Nuwayri area in Beirut, Lebanon, 10 October 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
People gather in front of a damaged building after an Israeli military strike at the Nuwayri area in Beirut, Lebanon, 10 October 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
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Israeli Airstrike Targets Senior Hezbollah Figure in Beirut

People gather in front of a damaged building after an Israeli military strike at the Nuwayri area in Beirut, Lebanon, 10 October 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
People gather in front of a damaged building after an Israeli military strike at the Nuwayri area in Beirut, Lebanon, 10 October 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Scores were killed and injured in an Israeli airstrike that targeted at least one senior Hezbollah figure in central Beirut on Thursday, security sources said.
A large fire blazed in the background as rescue workers used hand torches to search through the rubble for survivors.

It was not clear who the Hezbollah targets were. The neighborhood was not previously hit by Israel.
A thick column of smoke rose above central Beirut after what appeared to be Israel's latest major aerial attack in a widening offensive against Hezbollah.

"The Israeli enemy launched a strike in Beirut, targeting a building near the Khatam al-Anbiya complex in Nuwayri, with another strike targeting the Ras al-Nabaa area near the al-Amiliyah building," the National News Agency said.

At least 11 people were killed and 48 injured in a preliminary toll of the Israeli attacks, Lebanon's health ministry said in a statement.