Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Army Secretary Christine Wormuth confirmed the military's new stance in a statement filed in federal court on Friday. The number of attacks on U.S. troops in the Middle East has risen to 66. Cannonballs, a sword blade and a wagon wheel are among the artifacts found in the Congaree River. The U.S. has struck multiple targets in Syria in retaliation. Roughly half of the reported injuries are traumatic brain injuries. The unidentified detachment will deter further conflict and help protect troops already in the Middle East, the Pentagon said. The Senate struck down a bill from Sen. Rand Paul that would have required the U.S. to remove troops from Niger in the wake of a coup. The Air Force announced the arrival of additional F-16s in the Middle East to deter further aggression in the region. The two men say the United States is ready to protect American forces or personnel in the Middle East should the Israel-Hamas war escalate. F-15E Strike Eagles arrived in the Middle East amid conflict between Israel and the militant group Hamas. Load More