Just a day after President Joe Biden firmly stated that he had no plans to send more U.S. forces to the Middle East, the Pentagon revealed new troop deployments due to escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
During a press briefing, when asked about increasing troop levels, Biden answered with a straightforward “No.” However, less than 24 hours later, the Pentagon shifted its stance by confirming additional military personnel would be sent to the region.
Brigadier General Pat Ryder, Pentagon spokesperson, didn’t disclose the exact number of troops or their specific mission.
Yesterday: Biden answers “No” when he was asked if he’ll deploy more troops to the Middle East.
Today: Pentagon announces that more U.S. troops are being deployed to the Middle East.
Somebody’s running the country and it’s definitely not Joe Biden.pic.twitter.com/xhMIfnUS1w
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) September 30, 2024
“Given the rising tensions in the Middle East, we are deploying a small number of additional U.S. military personnel to support our current forces in the area,” Ryder stated. He added that operational security prevented him from sharing further details.
Currently, the U.S. maintains around 40,000 troops in the Middle East. This deployment responds to substantial Israeli airstrikes targeting Lebanon, which have resulted in numerous casualties, including the recent killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Israel is reportedly gearing up for further military action, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu advising Lebanese civilians to evacuate ahead of expected escalations.
Kent Nishimura/Getty Images
As the conflict intensifies, the U.S. is working to address the growing unrest. A senior official from the State Department mentioned that they have “concrete ideas” to calm tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, which will be discussed with allies and partners during the U.N. General Assembly this week.
Despite the troop increases—around 6,000 additional personnel in the past year—the Biden administration remains focused on de-escalation to avoid a wider regional conflict. Biden, speaking before a meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, confirmed he was briefed on the recent Israeli strikes and emphasized ongoing diplomatic efforts to ensure safety.
Additionally, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is advocating for a diplomatic resolution, having discussed a ceasefire with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over the weekend, as per Ryder.
“The situation is precarious,” Ryder cautioned, highlighting the potential for a broader conflict. “While we’re not there yet, it’s certainly dangerous.”
In light of the escalating tensions, the State Department has urged American citizens to leave Lebanon due to the increasing risk of a wider conflict. “Given the unpredictable nature of this ongoing conflict and recent explosions, including in Beirut, we strongly recommend that U.S. citizens exit Lebanon while commercial flights are still available,” the advisory read.