A farewell ceremony in the state of New Jersey marked the departure of 1,500 soldiers who will join the US forces fighting against the Islamic State (ISIS) in both Syria and Iraq.
This gathering represents the largest deployment of National Guard troops in New Jersey since 2008.
The deployment of American troops is part of “Operation Inherent Resolve,” a campaign led by Washington since 2014 as part of the international coalition to combat extremist organizations in the Middle East.
Lt Colonel Omar Minott, who is heading to the Middle East for the fifth time, expressed confidence in the capabilities of the American soldiers to defeat ISIS, stating, ” “We have the people we need. We have the training that we need. We have the equipment that we need to fight and win.”
The troops will first undergo training at Fort Bliss in Texas before heading to the Middle East.
This deployment reflects the ongoing commitment of the United States to combat the threat posed by ISIS in the region.
