U.S. Troops, Military Assets Deploy to Saudi

UPDATE:

DOD Statement on Deployment of U.S. Forces and Equipment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

SEPT. 26, 2019

Attributed to Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman:

“In light of recent attacks on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and at their invitation, Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper announced today that the U.S. would deploy the following equipment to the kingdom:

• One Patriot Battery
• Four Sentinel RADARs 
• Approximately 200 support personnel 

This deployment will augment the kingdom’s air and missile defense of critical military and civilian infrastructure. This deployment augments an already significant presence of U.S. forces in the region.  

The Secretary has also approved putting additional forces on Prepare To Deploy Orders (PTDO).  While no decision has been made to deploy these additional forces, they will maintain a heightened state of readiness.

These forces include:

• Two Patriot Batteries 
• One Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD) 

It is important to note these steps are a demonstration of our commitment to regional partners, and the security and stability in the Middle East. This follows the Secretary and Chairman’s extensive outreach to partners in the region, and around the globe. 

Other countries have called out Iranian misadventures in the region, and we look for them to contribute assets in an international effort to reinforce Saudi Arabia’s defense.”

21 Sept U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, first announced Trump’s decision to send forces and equipment to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on Friday night at the Pentagon.

The Patriot battery and radar systems are designed to provide increased surveillance across Saudi Arabia’s north. The country has largely focused its defenses to the south in order to protect the country from attacks by Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Sunday that the presence of foreign forces in the Persian Gulf area would create “insecurity in the region.”

Esper said Friday that U.S. forces and equipment heading to the region would be “defensive in nature” and were being sent in response to requests from Saudi and UAE officials to improve their air and missile defenses.

TRANSCRIPT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE DR. MARK T. ESPER below  

Gen. Dunford and I just returned from the White House, where we met with the president and his national security team to discuss options to deter Iran’s continued aggressive behavior.  As we have seen, the Iranian regime is waging a deliberate campaign to destabilize the Middle East and impose costs on the international economy. 

In recent months, Iran has increased its military activity through direct attacks and support to its proxies in the region.  In the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, which are vital waterways for global commerce, Iran has threatened the safe passage of ships by attacking commercial vessels and illegally seizing a British oil tanker. 

In Yemen, Iran is perpetuating war by providing sustained financial support and advanced weapons to the Houthi insurgency.  And on June 20th, Iran shot down a United States unmanned aircraft that was flying over international waters. 

Despite repeated calls from President Trump to begin diplomatic talks, Iranian aggression continues to increase.  In the face of this sustained malign behavior, the United States and other countries have demonstrated great restraint in hopes that Iranian leadership would choose peace, and reverse Iran’s steep decline into isolation and economic collapse. 

But the attack on September 14th against Saudi Arabian oil facilities represents a dramatic escalation of Iranian aggression.  It is clear, based on detailed exploitation conducted by Saudi, the United States and other international investigative teams, that the weapons used in the attack were Iranian produced and were not launched from Yemen, as was initially claimed.  All indications are that Iran was responsible for the attack. 

The United States has a responsibility to protect our citizens and our interests in the region, and the international community has a responsibility to protect the global economy and international rules and norms.  All of this is threatened by Iran’s significant escalation of violence. 

This week, I have been in dialogue with the Saudi defense minister and other partners about this latest attack.  To prevent further escalation, Saudi Arabia requested international support to help protect the kingdom’s critical infrastructure.  The United Arab Emirates has also requested assistance. 

In response to the kingdom’s request, the president has approved the deployment of U.S. forces, which will be defensive in nature and primarily focused on air and missile defense.  We will also work to accelerate the delivery of military equipment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the UAE to enhance their ability to defend themselves.

The purpose of the additional defensive support we will provide is as follows.  First, to send a clear message that the United States supports our partners in the region.  Second, to ensure the free flow of resources necessary to support the global economy.  And third, to demonstrate our commitment to upholding the international rules-based order that we have long called on Iran to obey. 

As the president has made clear, the United States does not seek conflict with Iran.  That said, we have many other military options available should they be necessary. 

We urge the Iranian leadership to cease their destructive and destabilizing activities and to move forward on a peaceful, diplomatic path.