Wed Sep 11 23:17:50 UTC 2024: ## US Navy Withdraws Second Aircraft Carrier from Middle East
**WASHINGTON** – The Pentagon has concluded its rare deployment of two aircraft carriers in the Middle East, with the USS Theodore Roosevelt heading home after a brief extension of its deployment. The move comes after months of heightened tensions in the region, primarily due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The Biden administration had increased the US military presence in the region to defend Israel from potential attacks by Iran and its proxies, and to safeguard US troops. The presence of a carrier, accompanied by supporting warships, has been considered a strong deterrent in the Middle East, particularly against Iran.
The USS Abraham Lincoln arrived in the Middle East three weeks ago, overlapping with the USS Theodore Roosevelt, providing a double carrier presence in the region. The Roosevelt’s departure leaves the Lincoln and a number of other US warships in the region, including ships in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, two destroyers, and a guided missile submarine in the Red Sea.
The decision to withdraw the Roosevelt comes amidst the protracted 11-month conflict in Gaza, which has seen tens of thousands of casualties and multiple failed attempts at a ceasefire. The ongoing conflict has significantly increased tensions in the region and prompted the US to reinforce its military presence.
The USS Roosevelt, along with its accompanying destroyer, the USS Daniel Inouye, is expected to be in the Indo-Pacific Command’s region by Thursday. The other destroyer in the strike group, the USS Russell, has already left the Middle East and is now operating in the South China Sea.
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