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☆ 900 US Troops Heading to Middle East to Bolster Defenses as Attacks Surge
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Idrees Ali and Phil StewartWASHINGTON (Reuters) - About 900 more U.S. troops have arrived in the Middle East or are heading there to bolster air defenses for U.S. personnel amid a surge in attacks by Iran-affiliated groups, the Pentagon said on Thursday. A total of 21 U.S. forces have suffered minor injuries, the vast majority of them traumatic brain injuries. Ryder said U.S. forces were again targeted earlier on Thursday in Iraq but the attack failed. The measures include increasing U.S. military patrols, restricting access to base facilities and boosting intelligence collection, including through drone and other surveillance operations, officials say. During a false alarm at Al-Asad air base in Iraq on Thursday, a civilian contractor died from cardiac arrest.

Persons: Idrees Ali, Phil Stewart WASHINGTON, Patrick Ryder, Ryder, I'm, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Asad, Phil Stewart, Chris Reese, Howard Goller Organizations: Pentagon, United, U.S, Reuters, Area Defense, Patriot, Iranian, United Nations, Palestinian Locations: Iran, Israel, Iraq, Syria, U.S, United States, Gaza, Yemen, Iranian

☆ Maine shooting suspect is U.S. Army Reserve petroleum supply specialist, Army says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] A person of interest identified by police as Robert Card is seen in this handout image released October 25, 2023. Lewiston Maine Police Department via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 26 (Reuters) - The person at the center of a police manhunt following a mass shooting in Maine, Robert Card, is a petroleum supply specialist in the U.S. Army Reserve with more than two decades in the service and no prior overseas deployments, the Army said on Thursday. Card, a sergeant 1st class, enlisted in Dec. 2002, the Army said. State and local police identified Card, who reportedly had been committed to a mental health facility over the summer, as a person of interest in Wednedsay's shooting. Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; Editing by Chizu NomiyamaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Robert Card, Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, Chizu Organizations: Lewiston, Lewiston Maine Police Department, Facebook, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, U.S . Army Reserve, Army, Thomson Locations: Lewiston Maine, Maine

Reuters GraphicsThe bloodshed rocked the largely rural state of Maine in the northeastern corner of the U.S. bordering Canada. [1/6]Police close Lincoln Street leading to Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant after deadly mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine, U.S. October 26, 2023. The bar and the bowling alley are about four miles (6.5 km) apart. A bowling alley. The number of annual homicides in the state has fluctuated between 16 and 29 since 2012, according to Maine State Police.

Persons: Robert R, Mike Sauschuck, Sauschuck, Nicholas Pfosi, Kris Brown, Brady, Jason Levesque, Levesque, Joe Biden, Janet Mills, Senators Angus King, Susan Collins, Jared Golden, Daniel Trotta, Julia Harte, Steve Gorman, Trevor Hunnicutt, Phil Stewart, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Maine Public, Police, U.S . Army, National Guard, Maine, Analysis Center, Reuters, Associated Press, Lincoln Street, Schemengees, REUTERS, Rights Police, Auburn, U.S, Senators, Maine State Police, Thomson Locations: Maine, Lewiston, Lisbon, U.S, Canada, Lincoln, Lewiston , Maine, Androscoggin County, Maine's, Portland, Brady, Lewiston's, Androscoggin, Washington, Las Vegas, Carlsbad , California, New York, Los Angeles

☆ US Strikes Iranian Targets in Syria -Pentagon
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

The targets were weapons and munitions storage facilities, the official added, speaking late on Thursday to reporters in Washington. The United States has occasionally carried out retaliatory strikes against Iranian-backed forces in the region after they attack American forces. In March, the U.S. military carried out multiple air strikes in Syria against Iran-aligned groups that it blamed for a drone attack that killed an American contractor. There is growing concern that the Israel-Hamas conflict could spread through the Middle East and turn U.S. troops at isolated bases into targets. The United States did not coordinate the strikes with Israel, the official added.

Persons: Idrees Ali, Phil Stewart WASHINGTON, Lloyd Austin, Joe Biden, Austin, Abu Kamal, Biden, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Asad, Phil Stewart, Jamie Freed, Michael Perry Organizations: U.S, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Pentagon, . Defense, United, Iranian, Reuters Locations: Syria, Iraq, Israel, U.S, Iran, Iranian, Syrian, Washington, United States, Tehran, State, East, Yemen

U.S. President Joe Biden, in remarks looking beyond the war that began with an Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Palestinian Hamas militants, said on Wednesday that the future should include Israeli and Palestinian states side by side. Israel has resisted both, arguing that Hamas would only take advantage and create new threats to Gaza civilians. "We will keep striking in Gaza in order to achieve the goals of the war," Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised statement that Israel was "preparing for a ground invasion. International pressure is growing to delay any invasion of Gaza, not least because of hostages.

Persons: Yasser Qudih, Biden, Israel, Joe Biden, Anthony Albanese, Israel's Magen David, Daniel Hagari, Benjamin Netanyahu, Nidal al, Henrietta Chacar, Emily Rose, Jeff Mason, Phil Stewart, Michelle Nichols, Grant McCool, Howard Goller Organizations: REUTERS, UN Israel, United Nations, Australian, Reuters, United, Street, Washington, U.S, Thomson Locations: Gaza City, Gaza, GAZA, JERUSALEM, Israel, Palestinian, Washington, Saudi Arabia, Rishon Letzion, Tel Aviv, United Nations, Russia, China, U.S, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Rafah, United States, East, Iran, Iranian, An Israeli

[1/3] A U.S army soldier stands with his weapon at a military base in the Makhmour area near Mosul during an operation to attack Islamic State militants in Mosul, Iraq, October 18, 2016. A U.S. military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, did not specifically say what might trigger the evacuation of U.S. military families, who are deployed to Middle East locations including Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet. Senior Biden administration officials including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin have warned of the risk of major escalation in attacks on American troops in the Middle East and that Iran could seek to widen the Israel-Hamas war. Austin has ordered new air defenses to the Middle East to safeguard troops, including a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. Iranian security officials told Reuters Iran's strategy was for Middle East proxies like Hezbollah to pursue limited strikes on Israeli and U.S. targets but to avoid a major escalation that would draw in Tehran.

Persons: Alaa, Michael, Erik, Kurilla, Asad, Lloyd Austin, Austin, John Kirby, Kirby, Phil Stewart, Chizu Organizations: Islamic, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Reuters, U.S . Army, U.S . Central Command, American, Navy's, Senior Biden, Defense, Pentagon, Area Defense, United, Thomson Locations: U.S, Makhmour, Mosul, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Israel, Gaza, Yemen, Iranian, Middle East, Bahrain, United States, Tehran

The Pentagon building is seen in Arlington, Virginia, U.S. October 9, 2020. "We don't necessarily see that Iran has explicitly ordered them to take these kinds of attacks," Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder told reporters. Pressed on the issue, Ryder added: "We haven't seen a direct order, for example, from the Supreme Leader saying: 'Go out and do this.'" Ryder, however, said that the United States ultimately holds Iran responsible for such attacks by militant groups "by virtue of the fact that they are supported by Iran." The United States has also sent warships and fighter aircraft to the region to try to deter Iran and Iran-backed groups from widening the conflict.

Persons: Carlos Barria, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Patrick Ryder, Ryder, Lloyd Austin, Austin, Asad, Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, Chizu Nomiyama, Howard Goller Organizations: Pentagon, REUTERS, Rights, United, Iran's, Reuters, Biden, Defense, Area Defense, Thomson Locations: Arlington , Virginia, U.S, United States, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Israel, Gaza, Tehran, Islamic Republic, Iranian, Yemen

After Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 and killed some 1,400 people, the United States stood by its ally and stressed that Israel has the right to defend itself. The priority is on working to get the hostages out step-by-step," said a source briefed on the hostage negotiations. The first U.S. official said that along with the hostage negotiations, advising Israel to hold off on its invasion could also give more time for humanitarian aid to be delivered to Gaza. U.S. officials have urged Israel to follow the laws of war in any invasion of Gaza, which is home to 2.3 million people. Israel would have a difficult time fighting a war on two fronts simultaneously if Hezbollah launches a full-scale fight in the north, U.S. officials say.

Persons: Israel, Joe Biden, John Kirby, Lloyd Austin, Washington Eliav Benjamin, Lebanon's, Antony Blinken, Yoav Gallant, Washington, Matt Spetalnick Steve Holland, Humeyra Pamuk, Dan Williams, Andrew Mills, Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, Trevor Hunnicutt, Simon Lewis, Michelle Nichols, Grant McCool Organizations: United, Palestinian, Washington, House, Pentagon, State Department, Friday, U.S, United Nations, White House, Israel's Army, Hamas, NBC, Sunday, Sunday . Washington, Hezbollah, Thomson Locations: United States, Gaza, Qatar, Israel, U.S, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Britain, Egypt, White, Washington, Iran, Sunday ., Jerusalem, Doha

☆ US Advises Israel Hold off on Gaza Invasion, Keeps Hamas Mediator Qatar in Loop -Sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

After Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 and killed some 1,400 people, the United States stood by its ally and stressed that Israel has the right to defend itself. The priority is on working to get the hostages out step-by-step," said a source briefed on the hostage negotiations. The first U.S. official said that along with the hostage negotiations, advising Israel to hold off on its invasion could also give more time for humanitarian aid to be delivered to Gaza. U.S. officials have urged Israel to follow the laws of war in any invasion of Gaza, which is home to 2.3 million people. US DEFENSEIsraeli officials have increasingly signaled in public that a Gaza invasion could be imminent.

Persons: Matt Spetalnick, Steve Holland, Humeyra Pamuk, Israel, Joe Biden, John Kirby, Lloyd Austin, Washington Eliav Benjamin, Lebanon's, Antony Blinken, Yoav Gallant, Washington, Matt Spetalnick Steve Holland, Dan Williams, Andrew Mills, Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, Trevor Hunnicutt, Simon Lewis, Michelle Nichols, Grant McCool Organizations: United, Palestinian, Washington, House, Pentagon, State Department, Friday, U.S, United Nations, White House, Israel's Army, Hamas, NBC, Sunday, Sunday . Washington, Hezbollah Locations: Humeyra Pamuk WASHINGTON, United States, Gaza, Qatar, Israel, U.S, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Britain, Egypt, White, Washington, Iran, Sunday ., Jerusalem, Doha

Palestinian media reported at least 11 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli strike in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, and that Israel was striking the southern city of Rafah. We will continue to attack in the area of Gaza City and increase attacks," Hagari told Israeli reporters on Saturday. Israel started its "total siege" of Gaza after an Oct. 7 cross-border attack on southern Israel by militants of the Islamist movement Hamas killed 1,400 people, mainly civilians, in a shock rampage that has traumatised Israel. [1/5]An Israeli soldier secures an area, following a deadly infiltration by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, in Kibbutz Kissufim in southern Israel October 21, 2023. At least 84 Palestinians in the West Bank have been killed in clashes with Israeli forces since the Hamas rampage, Palestinian officials say.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Biden, Israel, Khan Younis, Daniel Hagari, Hagari, Joe, Washington, Amir Cohen, Rights Biden, General Herzi Halevi, Antony Blinken, Najib Mikati, Nidal al, Michelle Nichols, Phil Stewart, Lincoln, Daniel Wallis, William Mallard Organizations: US, Defense, Al, Gaza's Health, Area Defense, Drones, FIRST, Gaza, United Nations, Palestinian, REUTERS, Rights, United, Security, Canada's National Department of Defence, Canadian Forces Intelligence Command, Health Ministry, State Department, West Bank, Thomson Locations: U.S, Iran, Canada, Ahli, Gaza, GAZA, JERUSALEM, Israel, Washington, Khan, Rafah, Gaza City, Iraq, East, Israeli, Kibbutz Kissufim, United States, France, Tel Aviv, Lebanon, Jenin, New York, Jerusalem

☆ Israel Strikes Gaza, Lebanon Overnight; Netanyahu Convenes Generals
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Emily RoseGAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel bombarded Gaza with air strikes early on Monday and its aircraft struck southern Lebanon overnight, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a meeting of his top generals and his war cabinet to assess the escalating conflict. Israel's attacks concentrated on the Gaza Strip's centre and north, Palestinian media reported. A strike on a house near the Jabalia refugee camp, in northern Gaza, killed several Palestinians and wounded others, according to media reports. "The prime minister noted his nation's unity and determination to eliminate the military and governing capabilities of Hamas," Netanyahu's office said. French President Emmanuel Macron and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will visit Israel this week.

Persons: Nidal, Emily Rose, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ismail Haniyeh, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Israel, Lloyd Austin, ABC's, Mohammad Shtayyeh, Joe Biden, Netanyahu, Biden, Pope Francis, Emmanuel Macron, Mark Rutte, Nidal al, Phil Stewart, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Health, Iranian, . Defense, Reuters, Iran, Hezbollah, GAZA Palestinian, White, Dutch Locations: Emily Rose GAZA, JERUSALEM, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Washington, Iran, U.S, Tehran, Islamic Republic, Syria, Israeli, Damascus, Aleppo, GAZA, Rafah, Canada, France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Jerusalem

A strike on a house near the Jabalia refugee camp, in northern Gaza, killed several Palestinians and wounded others, according to media reports. Israel has amassed tanks and troops near the fenced border around Gaza for a planned ground invasion aiming to annihilate Hamas. [1/5]An Israeli flag flutters from a self-propelled howitzer near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, October 22, 2023. Netanyahu also held a phone call with the leaders of France, Spain and the Netherlands late on Sunday, the Israeli leader's office said. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will visit Israel on Monday and French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Tuesday.

Persons: Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ismail Haniyeh, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Lloyd Austin, ABC's, Violeta Santos Moura, Mohammad Shtayyeh, Joe Biden, Netanyahu, Biden, Pope Francis, Mark Rutte, Emmanuel Macron, Nidal al, Emily Rose, Phil Stewart, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Biden, Health, Iranian, Pentagon, . Defense, Reuters, Iran, REUTERS, Hezbollah, GAZA Palestinian, White, Israel, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, GAZA, JERUSALEM, Lebanon, Washington, Iran, U.S, Tehran, Islamic Republic, Syria, Israeli, Damascus, Aleppo, Rafah, Canada, France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Dutch, Jerusalem

REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 21 (Reuters) - The U.S. will send a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and additional Patriot air defense missile system battalions to the Middle East, the Pentagon said on Saturday, in response to recent attacks on U.S. troops in the region. The United States has sent a significant amount of naval power to the Middle East in recent weeks, including two aircraft carriers, their support ships and about 2,000 Marines. "Following detailed discussions with President (Joe) Biden on recent escalations by Iran and its proxy forces across the Middle East Region, today I directed a series of additional steps to further strengthen the Department of Defense posture in the region," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement. The deployments come two years after Biden's administration withdrew air defense systems from the Middle East, citing a reduction in tensions with Iran. The Patriot, considered one of the most advanced U.S. air defense systems, is usually in short supply, with allies around the world vying for it.

Persons: Khan Younis, Abu Mustafa, Joe, Biden, Lloyd Austin, Austin, Israel, Idrees Ali, Phil Stewart, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Area Defense, Pentagon, United, Defense, U.S, Gaza's Health, Thomson Locations: Gaza, U.S, United States, Washington, Iran, Israel, East, South Korea, China, Iraq, Syria, Iranian, Yemen

His release by North Korea in September followed weeks of behind-the-scenes negotiations that led the Swedish government to retrieve King in North Korea and bring him across the border into China for a handoff to the U.S. ambassador. King, who joined the Army in January 2021, had faced two allegations of assault in South Korea. King had already been due to face disciplinary action in the United States after his release from South Korean detention. Then King sprinted across the border into North Korea. The Army said King left the Army in South Korea with the intention of staying away permanently "and did remain so absent in desertion until on or about 27 September 2023."

Persons: Travis King, King, King's, Claudine Gates, Gates, Camp Humphreys, Franklin Rosenblatt, Bowe Bergdahl, Jonathan Franks, Bergdahl, Phil Stewart, Gerry Doyle Organizations: U.S . Army, Reuters, Military Justice, Army, Thomson Locations: North Korea, Camp, Swedish, China, U.S, Texas, North, Afghanistan, South Korea, South, United States

☆ U.S. says it thwarted drone attack on its troops in Iraq
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

TEL AVIV, Oct 18 (Reuters) - The U.S. military thwarted an attack targeting its forces in Iraq early on Wednesday, intercepting two drones before they could strike, two U.S. officials said after the first such attack on U.S. forces in Iraq in more than a year. The one-way attack drones were intercepted as they attempted to strike Iraq's al Asad air base, which hosts American troops, the officials said. Last week he threatened to target U.S. interests if Washington intervened to support Israel. Dozens of members of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), the state paramilitary organisation that contains many Iran-backed factions, took to the streets on Tuesday to condemn the hospital attack. Demonstrators chanted anti-U.S. and anti-Israeli slogans and said they wanted to storm the U.S. embassy for its support of Israel.

Persons: Iraq's al Asad, Joe Biden, Israel, Ali al, Hadi Al, Amiri, Washington, Kataib, Phil Stewart, Amina Ismail, Ahmed Rasheed, Ahmed Saad, Clarence Fernandez, Nick Macfie Organizations: U.S, Reuters, American, Hamas, Islamic, Israel, Hezbollah, United, Popular, Forces, ., Thomson Locations: TEL AVIV, Iraq, U.S, Washington, Iran, Israel, Gaza, Al, Ahli, Israeli, United States, Iraqi, Badr, America, Syria, State, Baghdad, Tel Aviv, Erbil

The trip by Army General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, is the latest by a senior U.S. official to Israel ahead of an expected ground assault by Israel's military in Gaza. The Pentagon is also rushing weaponry, including air defenses and munitions, to Israel. "I'm here to ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself, particularly focused on avoiding other parties expanding the conflict," Kurilla told Reuters, which is traveling with him, in brief remarks before landing. A U.S. official told Reuters Kurilla was scheduled to hold high-level meetings with Israel's military leadership, ensuring a clear understanding of the close U.S. ally's defense requirements. Clashes this last week have been the deadliest in the Lebanon border area since a 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Persons: Michael, Erik, Kurilla, Jehad, Joe Biden, Reuters Kurilla, Biden, Israel, Antony Blinken, Phil Stewart, Stephen Coates Organizations: U.S . Central Command, Jordan, REUTERS, American, Palestinian, Hamas, Army, U.S, Pentagon, Reuters, United, Hezbollah, Thomson Locations: U.S, Jordan, Amman's, TEL AVIV, Israel, Gaza, Iran, Washington, United States, Lebanon, Lebanese

☆ Exclusive-Senior US General Flies Into Israel as Its War With Hamas Deepens
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

The trip by Army General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, is the latest by a senior U.S. official to Israel ahead of an expected ground assault by Israel's military in Gaza. "I'm here to ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself, particularly focused on avoiding other parties expanding the conflict," Kurilla told Reuters, which is traveling with him, in brief remarks before landing. A U.S. official told Reuters Kurilla was scheduled to hold high-level meetings with Israel's military leadership, ensuring a clear understanding of the close U.S. ally's defense requirements. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held hours of talks with Israel's war cabinet in Israel on Monday, and was once forced to shelter in a bunker for five minutes when air raid sirens went off. Clashes this last week have been the deadliest in the Lebanon border area since a 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Persons: Phil Stewart TEL, Michael, Erik, Kurilla, Joe Biden, Reuters Kurilla, Biden, Israel, Antony Blinken, Phil Stewart, Stephen Coates Organizations: Reuters, American, Palestinian, Hamas, Army, U.S . Central Command, U.S, Pentagon, United, Hezbollah Locations: Phil Stewart TEL AVIV, Israel, U.S, Gaza, Iran, Washington, United States, Lebanon, Lebanese

☆ After treatment at US military hospital, volunteers for Ukraine return to fight
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Andrew Hay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

US COMMITMENT TO UKRAINETreating the wounded volunteers at Landstuhl represents another level of U.S. commitment to Ukraine. Thousands of foreign volunteers headed to Ukraine after Russia’s February 2022 invasion and are now fighting with regular Ukraine army units and a foreign legion. Dozens of foreign volunteers are wounded each month, according to the four fighters interviewed by Reuters. Of 20 Ukrainian Army patients admitted so far, nearly all since August, 16 have been foreign volunteers, according to Marcy Sanchez, a spokesman for the hospital. "The bureaucracy is just horrendous," said Craig Borthwick, lead medic for ReactAid, explaining the many layers of military, medical and government authorizations required.

Persons: Jumbo, directionless, Biden, Rachel Jamison, Meaghan Mobbs, Marcy Sanchez, ReactAid, Craig Borthwick, David Bramlette, Nathan Chan, we're, Andrew Hay, Phil Stewart, Donna Bryson, Diane Craft Organizations: Landstuhl Regional Medical, Ukrainian Army, . Military, U.S, Marine, RT Weatherman, Jumbo, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, United State's, Reuters, Russia, Marines, Landstuhl, Kyiv, Russia’s, Ukraine, Weatherman, Ukrainian, Ukrainian Armed Forces, U.S . Army, Green Beret, Thomson Locations: Germany, United States, Russian, Ukraine, U.S, UKRAINE

☆ Top US general: No indications other Israeli adversaries to join war
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Idrees Ali | Thomson Reuters | National Security Correspondent Focusing On The Pentagon In Washington D.C. Reports On U.S. Military Activity | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Israeli firefighters work to put out vehicles on fire after a rocket, launched from the Gaza Strip, landed in Ashkelon, southern Israel, October 11. "I'm not seeing any indications of additional players that are going to get involved to the detriment of Israel," Brown, a four-star Air Force general, said at a Brussels press conference. Hamas gunmen rampaged through Israeli towns over the weekend, killing 1,200 people and taking scores of hostages to Gaza. At least 14 Americans were killed during the Hamas attack on Saturday, President Joe Biden said on Tuesday. The United States also bolstered U.S. Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region, and moved to replenish Israeli air defenses and munitions stockpiles as Israel moves against Hamas.

Persons: Amir Cohen, General C.Q, Brown, Joe Biden, Gerald R, Idrees Ali, Phil Stewart Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Israel, Hamas, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force, U.S ., Ford Carrier Strike, United, . Air Force, NATO, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Ashkelon, Israel, Rights BRUSSELS, Palestinian, Brussels, United States

WASHINGTON, Oct 9 (Reuters) - The U.S. military is "surging" fresh supplies of air defenses, munitions and other security assistance to Israel to help it respond to an unprecedented weekend attack by Hamas, a senior U.S. defense official said on Monday. "We are surging support to Israel... We remain in constant ongoing contact with our counterparts in Israel to determine and then support their most urgent requirements." The United States has not yet detailed the extent of Israel's requests for security assistance. But the U.S. defense official said Washington was contacting the defense industry to expedite pending Israeli orders, and looking at the U.S. military's own stockpiles to help fill Israeli gaps. The official also appeared to dismiss concerns that the United States might struggle to supply Israel at the same time that it funnels weaponry to Ukraine.

Persons: Washington, Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Biden, Kanishka Singh, Phil Stewart, Leslie Adler, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: U.S, Hamas, Islamic, Islamic State . U.S, White, Wall Street, Wall Locations: Israel, U.S, United States, Ukraine, Palestinian, Islamic State ., Iran, Washington

REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 9 (Reuters) - The U.S. Army on Monday said it would need Congress to approve additional funding to ensure the Pentagon's munitions production and acquisition plans can simultaneously meet the needs of both Israel and Ukraine. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth made the comments as the U.S. House of Representatives is effectively paralyzed as Republicans work to select a new speaker. Israel, America's closest ally in the Middle East, has declared war after an unprecedented, surprise attack on Saturday by Hamas fighters left hundreds dead. "We need additional support from Congress. "But I would argue, that just as we lean forward with Ukraine, I think the intent is to lean forward in support of Israel," she said.

Persons: U.S . Army Christine E, Wormuth, Joshua Roberts, Christine Wormuth, Israel, America's, Randy George, they've, George, Lloyd Austin, Gerald R, Austin, Phil Stewart, Grant McCool Organizations: U.S . Army, Army, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . House, Representatives, Hamas, Defense, Ford Carrier Strike Group, Air Force, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Israel, Ukraine, East . Washington, U.S

☆ Top US general Mark Milley to hand over reins after four years
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Chair of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley stands by at a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., September 5, 2023. Milley will hand over command to Air Force chief General Charles Q. Brown, who will be only the second Black officer to become chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, after Colin Powell two decades ago. Milley took the reins in 2019 after being nominated by Trump, but soon found himself having to balance the need to maintain his relationship with the former president without appearing to be political. Brown is a self-described introvert whose public persona contrasts sharply with the outgoing Milley, a loquacious Boston native.

Persons: Mark Milley, Leah Millis, Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, Donald Trump, Milley, Charles Q, Brown, Colin Powell, Trump, Joe Biden's, Lloyd Austin, Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: U.S . Joint Chiefs, Staff, White, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, ISIS, Air Force, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Trump, Pentagon, Black U.S, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Ukraine, Afghanistan, China, Boston

For its part, North Korea appears to have treated his case as one of illegal immigration. North Korea's KCNA state news agency said King told Pyongyang he entered North Korea illegally because he was "disillusioned about unequal U.S. The Swedish government, which represents U.S. interests in North Korea because Washington has no diplomatic presence in the country, retrieved King in North Korea and brought him to China. The State Department said the U.S. ambassador to Beijing, Nicholas Burns, met King in Dandong, China, a city bordering North Korea. King, who joined the U.S. army in January 2021, faced two allegations of assault in South Korea.

Persons: Travis King, King, Fort Sam Houston, Brittney Griner, Travis T, Sarah Leslie, Handout, Nicholas Burns, Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, Evan Garcia, Ed Davies, Neil Fullick, Toby Chopra Organizations: U.S . Army, Reuters, Base San, Fort, Brooke Army Medical Center, Russia, Security Area, REUTERS, Army, The State Department, Osan Air Force Base, U.S, South Korean, Thomson Locations: Texas, North Korea, U.S, Base San Antonio, Panmunjom, South Korea, Pyongyang, Swedish, Washington, China, Beijing, Dandong, Shenyang, United States, Korea

WASHINGTON/SEOUL, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Private Travis King, the U.S. soldier who ran into North Korea in July, is in U.S. custody and heading home after being expelled by North Korea into China, the United States said on Wednesday. For its part, North Korea appears to have treated his case as one of illegal immigration. North Korea's KCNA state news agency said King told Pyongyang he entered North Korea illegally because he was disillusioned about unequal U.S. Last month, it said that he wanted refuge in North Korea or elsewhere because of maltreatment and racial discrimination within the U.S. army. KING IN 'GOOD HEALTH'The Swedish government, which represents U.S. interests in North Korea because Washington has no diplomatic presence in the country, retrieved King in North Korea and brought him to China.

Persons: Travis King, King, KCNA, Matthew Miller, Nicholas Burns, Miller, Kim Hong, Jonathan Franks, Claudine Gates, Gates, Myron Gates, Fort Sam Houston, Brittney Griner, Hyonhee Shin, hyang Choi, Phil Stewart, Susan Heavey, Trevor Hunnicutt, Doina, Idrees Ali, Daphne Psaledakis Michael Martina, Humeyra Pamuk, David Brunnstrom, Brendan O'Brien, Johan Ahlander, Philippa Fletcher, Sharon Singleton, Bill Berkrot, Don Durfee, Daniel Wallis, William Maclean, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: North, The State Department, ., China . State Department, U.S, Osan Air Force Base, King, REUTERS, United States Army, ABC News, South Korean, Brooke Army Medical Center, Base San, Fort, Russia, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, SEOUL, U.S, North Korea, China, United States, Washington, Pyongyang, Swedish, Beijing, Dandong, Shenyang, South Korea, Sweden, Gijungdong, Panmunjom, Texas, Base San Antonio, Seoul, Chicago, Stockholm

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