Army air defense units from Fort Bliss, Texas, Fort Liberty, North Carolina and Fort Sill, Oklahoma are deploying to the Middle East, the Pentagon announced Tuesday.

The move comes amid the Israel-Hamas war and drone strikes on U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria. Two dozen American military personnel were injured in the drone strikes last week, NBC News reported.

“We are posturing additional forces in the region for two reasons,” Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters Tuesday. “One, again, to bolster our broader regional deterrence efforts. And two, to send a clear message that we will protect our forces. We will always maintain the inherent right of self-defense.”

DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza