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Austin Urges Israel to Take Diplomatic Path to Reduce Area Tensions

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant yesterday following the Iran-backed Houthi ballistic missile attack against Israel that day and a barrage of rocket attacks into northern Israel by the Iran-backed terrorist organization Lebanese Hezbollah over the weekend, according to a Pentagon news statement

A tanker ship refuels another ship while at sea.
Maritime Replenishment
The fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn sails alongside the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln during a replenishment at sea in the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility, Sept. 11, 2024.
Credit: Navy
VIRIN: 240911-N-AB116-6005

During that call, Austin reaffirmed the United States' ironclad commitment to Israel's security and Israel's right to self-defense, said Sabrina Singh, deputy Pentagon press secretary, who held a news conference today. 

"The secretary also reiterated the urgent need for a cease-fire and hostage deal," Singh said. "He stressed that Israel should give diplomatic negotiations time to succeed, noting the devastating consequences that escalation would have on the people of Israel, Lebanon and the broader region."  

A Marine directs a jet on a runway at night.
Cyprus Ops
Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier jets conduct operations in Paphos, Cyprus, Sept. 9, 2024.
Credit: Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Ryan Sammet
VIRIN: 240909-M-KW118-1538A

In a separate development, the last U.S. military personnel, along with their assets, left Niger yesterday. The withdrawal began May 19. 

"The effective cooperation and communication between the United States and Nigerien armed forces ensured that the safe, orderly and responsible withdrawal was completed without complications at the mutually decided date of Sept. 15," Singh said. 

It was also reported that the North American Aerospace Defense Command detected and tracked Russian IL-38 and TU-142 military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone over the last several days. 

Sailors work on a piece of machinery inside a ship.
Navy
Sailors conduct maintenance on an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 14, in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility, Sept. 10, 2024.
Credit: Chopper Checkup
VIRIN: 240910-N-AB116-4012

An ADIZ begins where sovereign airspace ends. It is a defined stretch of international airspace that requires the identification of all aircraft in the interest of national security. 

"In all cases, the Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace," Singh said. 

This Russian activity in the Alaska ADIZ occurs regularly, according to NORAD news releases. 

"The U.S. has been tracking these planned exercises for some time and they pose no threat to the U.S. homeland or the NATO alliance. We'll continue to monitor, as evidenced by NORAD's activities over the weekend and will remain in close communication with our NATO allies and partners," Singh said. 

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