Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United States has left another 700 combat troops in
Jordan.

President Barack Obama said the U.S. forces were deployed in the
Hashemite kingdom in wake of Eager Lion-2013, which ended on June 20.

Obama said the troops, accompanied by missile defense systems and F-16 aircraft, would help protect Jordan amid the civil war in neighboring Syria.

“This detachment that participated in the exercise and remained in Jordan includes Patriot missile systems, fighter aircraft, and related support, command, control, and communications personnel and systems,” Obama
said.

In a statement on June 21, Obama said the U.S. combat deployment was requested by Jordan. The president did not specify the duties or location of the American troops, expected to number up to 1,000.

For the last six months, Jordan has been hosting more than 200 U.S. troops. Officials said these troops were training the Jordanian military in such areas as command and control, intelligence and counter-insurgency.

Officials said the Defense Department also ordered the deployment of a
squadron of F-16 multi-role aircraft, or more than 12 platforms, in wake of
Eager Lion. During the two-week exercise, the U.S. military also operated the F/A-18 Hornet, AV-B Harrier-2 and V-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft.

Jordanian Chief of Staff Gen. Masha’al Al Zaben said the kingdom
requested the PAC-3 and F-16s. Al Zaben said Amman, saddled by huge debt,
could not afford major combat platforms.

“These weapons will remain on Jordanian soil as long as Jordan needs
them,” Al Zaben said. “We must defend our country and be ready for what is
taking place in the region.”

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