By Lucas Tomlinson, Fox News
The U.S. military flew a pair of B-52 bombers to the Middle East Thursday from Barksdale AFB in Louisiana the second deterrence mission against Iran in recent weeks and comes on the same day U.S. drones attacked al-Qaeda-linked ‘explosives experts’ in Somalia.
“We have seen some indications of increased attack planning by Iranian-linked forces inside Iraq” said one U.S. military official who declined to be identified to discuss the sensitive nature of the information.
“Presidential transitions are normally a time when our adversaries try to test us,” the official added.
U.S. military forces are drawing down to 2,500 in Iraq and Afghanistan before January 20th. The U.S. embassy in Baghdad has already withdrawn non-essential personnel in recent months and a “few dozen” more in recent days as the one-year anniversary of the American drone strike killing Iran’s most powerful general Qasem Soleimani on January 3rd approaches.
The U.S. Air Force bombers from the 2nd Bomb Wing launched from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana and flew ‘nonstop’ to the Middle East and back with refueling multiple times in the air.
“The ability to fly strategic bombers halfway across the world in a nonstop
mission, and to rapidly integrate them with multiple regional partners
demonstrates our close working relationships and our shared commitment to regional security and stability,” said the head of U.S. Central Command
Gen. Frank McKenzie in a statement.
Without mentioning Iran by name, McKenzie added: “Potential adversaries should understand that no nation on earth is more ready and capable of rapidly deploying additional combat power in the face of any aggression.”
“We do not seek conflict,” Gen. McKenzie said, “but we must remain postured and
committed to respond to any contingency.”
At the same time the American bombers flew to the Middle East, U.S. drones were killing al-Qaeda linked fighters in Somalia.
The U.S. Africa Command who announced the strikes in a statement, did not say how many militants were killed.
President Trump ordered all roughly 700 U.S. troops — mostly Special Operations forces — out of Somalia next month. The Pentagon announced the move Friday saying many of the Americans troops will be moved to neighboring countries, like Kenya.
Source: Fox News