US expected to send thousands of soldiers to Middle East, say sources

The Pentagon is expected to send thousands of soldiers from the army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday, adding to the massive military buildup even as the Trump administration seeks talks with Iran.

The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, did not specify where in the Middle East the troops would go and when they would arrive in the region. The soldiers are stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

The US military referred questions to the White House, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. –Agencies