US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin mentioned Tuesday that Washington is bound that an Iran-backed militia is behind an assault on Ain al-Asad air base in western Iraq, the place American and coalition forces are stationed.
“Specifically which group, we’re still investigating to determine that,” Austin instructed reporters throughout a joint press convention with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles in Annapolis, Maryland.
“The United States will not tolerate attacks on our personnel in the region. We’ve adjusted our military posture to strengthen our force protection, to reinforce our ironclad commitment to the defense of Israel, and to remain prepared to respond to any contingency,” he mentioned.
Austin mentioned he ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to exchange the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group at the moment deployed within the Central Command space of accountability.
Several US personnel have been reportedly injured Monday within the assault on the air base.
The US on Friday introduced that it could deploy extra army belongings to the Middle East amid rising tensions.
“These posture adjustments add to our already broad range of capabilities in the region, and we remain ready to deploy on short notice to meet evolving threats to our security, our partners, or our interests,” Austin mentioned.
He added that the US additionally stays “intensely” targeted on de-escalating tensions within the area in addition to securing a Gaza cease-fire and hostage-prisoner swap deal.
Source: www.anews.com.tr