Originally posted by the Voice of America.
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US Sending Troops, Weaponry to Saudis to Boost Kingdom's Air Defenses

Carla Babb

   PENTAGON - The Pentagon is sending a Patriot missile battery, four
   radar systems and about 200 troops to Saudi Arabia to boost the
   kingdom's air defenses against further attacks.

   Chief Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said Thursday that the
   deployment "will augment the kingdom's air and missile defense of
   critical military and civilian infrastructure."

   Two more Patriot batteries and a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense
   (THAAD) system are also preparing to deploy there to defend against
   missiles, if needed, Hoffman added.

   The movement is the first step in responding to what officials call an
   Iranian attack on Saudi oil facilities earlier this month. One U.S.
   official told VOA the attack originated in "southwest Iran" and that
   the U.S. has more proof "than just debris" to back up this claim,
   although no evidence has been released by the U.S. to date.

   Tehran has denied responsibility for the attack.

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