ALBAWABA - According to US officials, the US aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt is heading home following weeks of deployment in the Middle East in a rare move of the Pentagon to deploy two Navy aircraft carriers in the region simultaneously.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had directed the Roosevelt to prolong its deployment and remain in the Middle East while the USS Abraham Lincoln was urged to arrive at the Red Sea sooner.
The Biden administration increased the United States military presence in the region to assist defend Israel from potential attacks by Iran and Iran-backed organizations, as well as to protect American personnel.
According to US officials, who spoke anonymously to discuss military movements, the Roosevelt warship and the destroyer USS Daniel Inouye are due to arrive in the Indo-Pacific Command zone on Thursday, AlAraby AlJadeed reported.
The Lincoln, which is now in the Gulf of Oman with several other warships, arrived in the Middle East three weeks ago, allowing it to overlap with the Roosevelt until today.
There are also other US ships in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, as well as two destroyers and the guided missile submarine USS Georgia in the Red Sea.
US commanders in the Middle East have long maintained that the presence of a US aircraft carrier and its accompanying warships serves as an effective deterrence in the region, particularly for Iran.
Since Israel launched its latest brutal aggression on Gaza on October 7, there has been a consistent carrier presence in and around the region, with two carriers present at once for brief periods. Prior to the Israeli aggression, the US had not sent several warships at the same time.
The decision to return the Roosevelt comes as the war in Gaza has dragged on for 11 months, with tens of thousands of people killed, mostly civilians, and international efforts to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas group have repeatedly stalled as both sides accuse the other of making additional and unacceptable demands.
Al-Aqsa Flood operation against Israel
Hamas military group announced on Oct. 7 a military operation called "Al-Aqsa Flood" against Israel which is the biggest offensive in decades.
Palestinian fighters “infiltrated” Israel from the Gaza Strip and captured military bases and took hostages as photos and videos went viral online showing Hamas fighters on vehicles inside Israel and others paragliding into occupation territory.
In response, Israeli armed forces announced targeting Hamas positions inside the Gaza Strip. Thousands were killed, and dozens of thousands of others were injured in the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
