The news comes in the wake of the redeployment of two US B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers to the Middle East in act of muscle-flexing, according to some media reports.
US forces in the Middle East have been preparing for possible attacks against American troops and diplomatic employees located in Iraq carried out by local militias supposedly supported by Iran, CNN reported, citing anonymous US defence officials. One source said US forces have seen “indications” of preparations by militias and called the entire situation “worrisome”.
American forces and diplomatic workers have routinely been suffering from rocket attacks carried out by local militias in recent years. These groups, which once helped the government drive Daesh terrorists from the country, are demanding the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq. The country's parliament has made similar demands since January 2020, but so far Washington has only reduced its military presence to a minimal level.
US Preparing for Iranian Retaliation for Assassinations
Another media outlet, Politico, separately reported on 10 December that US forces deployed in the Middle East have been put on high alert amid concerns that Iran might carry out attacks against American personnel.
The attack was reportedly expected to be either retaliation for the murder of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in November, or an act of revenge on the one-year anniversary of the assassination of IRGC General Qasem Soleimani in Iraq….
