US announces deployment of additional 3K troops to S Arabia

Washington, October 12

The United States has announced to deploy additional 3,000 troops to Saudi Arabia in view of the “increased threat perception” due to drone attacks on oil facilities.

The US has blamed Iran for the attacks.  

“Today, an additional 3,000 troops will flow to Saudi Arabia,” Special US Envoy for Iran Brian Hook told reporters at the State Department.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a tweet, “The United States is deploying additional forces and military equipment to Saudi Arabia to enhance its defensive capabilities and to help restore deterrence against Iranian aggression.”

Pompeo said the Iranian regime should either “change its behaviour” or “watch its economy collapse”.  

In an interaction with reporters, Hook said Saudi Arabia was a long-standing security partner of the US and had requested an additional support to supplement their defences and defend the rules-based international order.

This decision is supported by many partners in the region, who were on the frontlines of the Iranian aggression, he said.

Hook added that since May, the Department of Defence had increased the number of forces by approximately 14,000 to the CENTCOM area of responsibility as an investment in regional security.

Reiterating that the Trump administration did not want a conflict with Iran, Hook, however, said, “We stand with our partners and our allies to safeguard global commerce and regional stability.”

Hook also asked the international community to be a part of the efforts. PTI