Washington will withdraw eight Patriot installations, reduce the contingent of fighters. In total, hundreds of military personnel will leave the region. The White House explained that the troops are being redistributed in favor of threats from China and Russia
American Patriot anti-aircraft missile system
Washington has stepped up the withdrawal of US military forces from the Middle East. This is reported by the Wall Street Journal, citing sources in the presidential administration.
The newspaper’s interlocutors reported that the Pentagon is withdrawing eight batteries of Patriot missile systems from Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. In addition, the THAAD anti-missile system is being withdrawn from Saudi Arabia, and jet fighter squadrons are being reduced.
Hundreds of military personnel serving these systems will return to the United States. One of the sources of the publication said that the revision of the military presence in the region is due to the fact that the Biden administration intends to focus on the challenges from China and Russia.
Another WSJ source said that the withdrawal of troops from the Middle East means a return to a more traditional level of protection of the region. Under former President Donald Trump, the Pentagon actively deployed defense systems, aircraft, and support ships at sea there to put pressure on Iran.
Sources of the newspaper noted that the deployment of additional forces in the Middle East did not stop Iran. In addition, against the background of the renewed negotiations on a nuclear deal with Tehran under Joe Biden, the need for such a large contingent has disappeared. The presidential administration also noted that Riyadh has recently significantly improved its defense, so it no longer needs such significant support from Washington.
Another reason for the return of American units is the need for maintenance and repair due to frequent use during the years of stay in the Middle East. “What we are seeing is a reallocation of military resources in accordance with strategic priorities,” the WSJ source stressed.
He recalled that the United States maintains tens of thousands of troops in the region, including in Iraq and Syria. The presence in the Middle East is also maintained at the expense of the base in the Persian Gulf. In addition, some military personnel will be relocated to the Middle East from Afghanistan.
Video
Biden instructed the Pentagon to begin a gradual withdrawal of military forces from the Middle East in early April. Then we were talking about three Patriot batteries, including those from Saudi Arabia. The American aircraft carrier Nimitz was supposed to leave the Persian Gulf, but it was left on combat duty.
Reducing the military presence in the Middle East was one of Biden’s campaign promises. In addition, he was also going to return the US to the nuclear deal with Iran. In recent months, both Washington and Tehran have announced progress on this issue.