US places additional forces on 'prepare-to-deploy orders' to Middle East

The US has earmarked more military personnel for possible deployment to the Middle East, safeguarding the troops already deployed there and assisting in the defence of Israel.

"An additional number of forces have been placed on prepare-to-deploy orders to increase their readiness and ensure rapid response if required," a senior US official said.

The US has already committed two carrier strike groups to the Eastern Mediterranean – the USS Dwight D Eisenhower and the USS Gerald R Ford.

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America's efforts in the Middle East are in support of Israel's right to defend itself from terrorism and to contain the violence, senior defence officials explained. 

"As we've communicated previously, the US remains committed to ensuring the security and well-being of its allies and partners, particularly in the face of escalating threats across the region," a senior defence official said.  

In addition to the carrier strike groups, Secretary of Defence Lloyd J Austin III also ordered the deployment of a terminal high-altitude area defence battery and additional Patriot battalions to the region.

A US carrier strike group typically includes 7,500 personnel deployed on five ships including aircraft carriers, submarines and destroyers.

"Our carrier strike groups give us the ability to launch operations independently, anywhere in the world and immediately upon arrival," a US official said.

"When we send them somewhere, we are deliberately sending an incredibly strong signal to our adversaries, but also to our allies and partners about the depth of our support, and the ability of the US military to expeditiously, dynamically, respond to contingencies anywhere in the world." 

This is a strategic move to show American support "not only to the region, but also to support Israel, and its right to defend itself from the brutal 7 October Hamas terrorist attacks", the official said.  

"Our advice to those who might seek to exploit the situation or amplify the conflict is simple: Don't," the official said, adding that the US has the right to self-defence.

Attacks will be answered decisively "at a time and place of our choosing".