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USA withdrawing Patriot Systems from Middle East to confront Russia and China
Sputnik reported, citing a report by the Wall Street Journal, that the US has already begun withdrawing some of its air defense forces from several Middle Eastern countries as it shifts them back to the US for maintenance, to use it in what is called "great power confrontation” with Russia and China. Middle East
The report notes that several MIM-104 Patriot air defense batteries have been pulled out of Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, and that at least one Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system is also being pulled out of Saudi Arabia. Fighter squadrons are also being pulled out.
The withdrawal, which was reportedly being considered in April, is part of a larger redeployment plan involving thousands of US troops around the globe as the Pentagon shifts away from the War on Terror that governed its strategic thinking for nearly 20 years and toward what it calls “great power confrontation” with Russia and China. It’s unclear where the Patriots and High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) will be sent once they’re repaired. Middle East
According to a senior defense official, the pullout returns the US to a more typical deployment in the region after years of tensions with Iran under President Donald Trump and the raging war in Yemen by the Saudis and their allies.
Sputnik reported that just weeks ago, the Saudi government asked the US to help defend them against the Houthis or a potential attack by Iran; now the Pentagon has said the Saudis are capable of shouldering most of their defensive needs in their war in Yemen. Middle East
The report by the Wall Street Journal also noted at the time that the Pentagon hoped to convince the Saudis to assume more responsibility for their own defense. Middle East
The withdrawal amounts to hundreds of troops who crew and maintain the batteries, which for Patriots can include a radar, engagement control station, antenna mast group, electric power plant, and up to 16 separate missile launchers. For THAAD, each battery includes two mobile tactical operations centers, a powerful ground-based radar, and at least six missile launch systems. Middle East
Source: Sputnik
Image source: AFP-Sputnik
