Fifth American destroyer heads to Mediterranean in build-up of possible Syria strike

Move possibly in response to reports of Russia sending two missile ships into the Mediterranean Sea due to the crisis in Syria.

By REUTERS, JPOST.COM STAFF
Sailors aboard USS stout 370 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Sailors aboard USS stout 370
(photo credit: REUTERS)
A few hours after reports surfaced that Russia sent two missile ships into the Mediterranean Sea due to the Syria crisis, the US sent another destroyer, their fifth so far, towards the center of the build-up and probably increases the possibility of an attack on Syria.
According to an American security source quoted in the Daily Star, "the US is expected to make the 'Stout' destroyer available for an imminent attack against Syria."
"The destroyer is already in the Mediterranean and is moving eastward," the official said. The destroyer will join the "Mahn" ship which is already located in the region. According to the source, the two boats will continue to be located in their current location for the immediate future.
The move came after Russia decided to send two ships to the east Mediterranean to strengthen its naval presence because of the "well-known situation." The information regarding Russia's naval movements were based on a report released by the Interfax news agency on Thursday.
The agency quoted a source in the armed forces' general staff as saying an anti-submarine vessel and a missile cruiser would be sent in the coming days because the situation "required us to make some adjustments" in the naval force.