US deploying advanced missile system to Israel, 100 troops to operate it: Pentagon

The Biden-Harris administration announced Sunday that the US is set to deploy a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system along with 100 troops to operate it to Israel. "This action underscores the United States' ironclad commitment to the defense of Israel, and to defend Americans in Israel, from any further ballistic missile attacks by Iran. It is part of the broader adjustments the U.S. military has made in recent months, to support the defense of Israel and protect Americans from attacks by Iran and Iranian-aligned militias," the Pentagon said Sunday.

Maj.-Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin authorized the deployment of the missile system and personnel on the orders of President Joe Biden. Ryder said the system will increase Israel’s air defenses in anticipation of any further attacks from Iran. 

The THAAD system is specifically designed to counter ballistic missile threats, such as Iran has utilized just this month. It is not the first time the US has used the system in the Middle East and was actually used in Israel for a 2019 military exercise. The deployment of US troops inside Israel is extremely rare, CNN noted and the introduction of the missile system at this time increases the potential for the US being directly involved with countering an Iranian attack.


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