ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A Pentagon military official on Saturday declined to confirm or deny reports that the United States has withdrawn Patriot air defense batteries from Erbil and is reducing its military presence in the Kurdistan Region, saying only that troop movements are conducted routinely and are not publicly discussed.
Responding to a question from Rudaw, a Pentagon defense official said, "U.S. Central Command regularly rotates and repositions U.S. forces to support assigned missions. However, we do not discuss these movements for operational security reasons."
The official did not address whether Patriot systems have been removed from Erbil or provide a timeline for any potential redeployment, leaving unanswered questions about the future US military posture in the Kurdistan Region amid the escalating regional tensions.
The comments came hours after the US Embassy in Baghdad and its consulate in Erbil issued a joint security alert urging Americans across the Middle East to prepare for possible flight cancellations and travel disruptions due to "heightened tensions" in the region.
"Due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation," the alert said, warning that Iran and groups aligned with Tehran could target US interests and facilities worldwide.
The warning comes amid renewed escalation in the US-Iran conflict. Although Washington and Tehran agreed to a 60-day ceasefire in June, hostilities have continued.
The US and Saudi Arabia also carried out joint airstrikes against Iran-aligned militias in Iraq, killing more than 20 people and injuring many others. The strikes came in response to two drone attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure that Riyadh blamed on the groups.
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