According to a Lebanese security source who spoke to Reuters, Lebanese troops have retreated from their positions near Lebanon’s southern border with Israel to at least five kilometers (roughly three miles) north of the border.
The withdrawal takes place as signs of an impending ground invasion by Israel into southern Lebanon intensify.
In a similar vein, a military official in Lebanon informs AFP that the army of Lebanon is moving troops positioned along its southern border. Media in Lebanon: In border towns, there is heavy artillery fire
Southern Lebanon’s border towns are experiencing intense artillery fire, according to Lebanese media.
According to Sky News, some soldiers from the Lebanese Armed Forces are “repositioning” close to the border… Meanwhile, State Department Spokesman Matt Miller said the Israelis were informing the US about some of their operations. As for reported invasion or incursion plans, Miller said: “They have at this time told us that those are limited operations focused on Hezbollah infrastructure near the border. But we’re in continuous conversations with them about it.”
“We recognize that military pressure can enable diplomacy. That’s true,” Miller said. “It’s also true that it can lead to miscalculation and unintended consequences,” he added before suggesting that the US still believes diplomacy is the best way forward.
“We acknowledge that diplomacy can be facilitated by military pressure. It is accurate, Miller stated. He went on, “It is also true that it can result in miscalculation and unintended consequences,” before implying that diplomacy is still the US’s preferred course of action.
The Lebanese Armed Forces withdrew from bases on the southern border with Israel, security sources told Al Arabiya English.
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters that the increased US troop presence announced Monday will include additional fighter jet squadrons, including more F-15E Strike Eagles, F-16s, F-22s, and A-10s.
Singh said the new squadrons were initially planned to replace the existing fleets in the region, but they will now augment the others.
She said these forces were not being deployed to evacuate US citizens from the region. The State Department has been warning US citizens against traveling to Lebanon or Israel but has so far not ordered any evacuations.
As a result of the Nasrallah assassination and ongoing wars in the region, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin announced on Sunday that the US would further reinforce “defensive air-support capabilities” in the coming days. He also warned Iran against targeting US troops in the Middle East and ordered an increased readiness of additional US forces to deploy, “elevating preparedness to respond to various contingencies.”
Singh said Austin believed additional fighter jets were the best way for US forces in the region to have the necessary defense
Reporters were informed by Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh that more fighter jet squadrons, such as F-15E Strike Eagles, F-16s, F-22s, and A-10s, will be part of the increased US troop presence that was revealed on Monday.
Singh stated that although the new squadrons will now supplement the current fleets in the area, their original purpose was to replace them.
She clarified that the purpose of these forces’ deployment was not to remove US nationals from the area. While issuing travel advisories to US citizens, the State Department has not yet issued any orders for evacuation from Israel or Lebanon.
The assassination of Nasrallah and the ongoing conflicts in the area have led to Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin’s announcement on Sunday that the US would strengthen its “defensive air-support capabilities” in the near future. Along with issuing an order to raise the readiness of additional US forces for deployment, “elevating preparedness to respond to various contingencies,” he also issued a warning to Iran not to target US troops in the Middle East.
According to Singh, Austin thought that the best approach for US forces in the area to have the required defense was to acquire more fighter jets.
