U.S. Defense: No Plans to Send Additional Forces to the Middle East

The spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, Patrick Ryder, stated today that "the United States has no plans to send additional forces to the Middle East following airstrikes by U.S. and British forces against Houthi forces in Yemen." Ryder added that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who was hospitalized on January 1 for treatment of an infection, is in good condition and has spoken with President Joe Biden twice in the past two days, and has been "actively involved in overseeing and directing these strikes."