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Carla Babb

Produced by Carla Babb

February 06, 2024
Iran-Backed Militants Launch Strikes Against US After Wave of US Strikes

Following U.S. strikes in Iraq, Syria and Yemen over the weekend, Iranian-backed militants in the Middle East launched three attacks in Syria, causing the U.S. to conduct at least two self-defense strikes in Yemen. VOA Pentagon correspondent Carla Babb reports.
January 24, 2024
US Defense Secretary Hosts Ukraine Defense Contact Group

United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin hosted a virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group Tuesday, which included ministers of defense and chiefs of defense from nearly 50 countries from around the world, to discuss Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. VOA’s Esther Githui-Ewart spoke to VOA Pentagon Correspondent Carla Babb about the meeting and the latest planned response from the group.
January 19, 2024
US Redesignates Houthi Rebels as Terrorist Group

The U.S. military carried out an attack against missile launch sites inside Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen after a Houthi attack late Wednesday that damaged a U.S.-owned commercial ship sailing in the Gulf of Aden. The attacks came as the United States redesignated Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels as a global terrorist organization following weeks of missile and drone attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf. But as VOA Pentagon correspondent Carla Babb reports, critics remain concerned about Iran’s increasing aggression in the region.
January 06, 2024
At Least 25 Houthi Attacks in Red Sea in Recent Weeks, Pentagon Says

US and other nations moving to protect ships sailing in international waters
December 26, 2023
US Military Faces Attacks in Middle East Amid Israel-Hamas War

Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, Iranian-backed proxies have ratcheted up attacks on U.S. service members in the Middle East. Houthis in Yemen have attacked several military and commercial ships. VOA Pentagon correspondent Carla Babb reports.
November 16, 2023
US Forces in Iraq, Syria Sustain Nearly 60 Attacks

Attacks from Iranian-backed militants have not let up, with a multirocket attack coming within a half-kilometer of Mission Support Site Euphrates in eastern Syria on Tuesday. The U.S. says deterrence is working with Iran, but is it enough to stop the barrage of drones and rockets? VOA Pentagon correspondent Carla Babb has details.
November 01, 2023
US Stations Additional Troops in Middle East Amid Heightened Tensions

U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria have faced repeated attacks from Iranian-backed militia groups in recent days. In response, the United States has ordered additional troops to the region to deter future assaults. For an analysis into the decision for more American troops in the region, VOA’s Vincent Makori spoke to VOA Pentagon Correspondent Carla Babb.
October 19, 2023
US Defense Secretary Places Military on Standby for Middle East Deployment

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin this week placed over 2,000 military personnel on heightened alert with a prepare-to-deploy order — preparations in case President Joe Biden activates the units. The Pentagon told VOA, should Washington deploy the units, they will further boost the U.S. military’s air defenses, medical and logistical capabilities, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance abilities in the Middle East. For more, VOA’s Pentagon correspondent Carla Babb filed this report.
October 13, 2023
US Secretary of Defense Announces Military Aid to Israel

US Secretary of State Llyod Austin traveled to Israel this week in a show of continued United States for Israel. Secretary Austin said that munitions, air defense capabilities and other equipment and resources were "rapidly flowing" to Washington's closest Middle Eastern ally. For more on secretary Austin’s visit , VOA’s Vincent Makori spoke to VOA Pentagon Correspondent Carla Babb.
October 11, 2023
US Announces Military Aid for Israel

Tuesday, Biden, flanked by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, pledged Washington's continued support for Israel's counteroffensive against what he called an "atrocity" that has killed more than 1,000 people, including at least 14 Americans. For a look into the US response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, VOA’s Vincent Makori spoke to VOA Pentagon Correspondent Carla Babb.
September 28, 2023
US Secretary of Defense Wraps Up Africa Tour

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin returned to Washington Thursday after completing his first Africa tour in his official capacity. Throughout his trip, Austin visited Djibouti, Kenya and Angola where he met authorities and signed several defense agreements. He also continued to push calls by U.S. authorities who say Africa should opt for relations with partners that are not “autocrats selling cheap guns and pushing mercenary forces like the Wagner group and depriving grain from hungry people around the world.” For more, VOA’s Pentagon correspondent Carla Babb traveled with Austin and produced this report from Angola.
September 27, 2023
U.S. Defense Secretary Ends Tour of Africa in Angola

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Angola on Wednesday, the final leg of his three-nation Africa tour that began in Djibouti and Kenya. Secretary Austin was received by President Joao Lourenco and held discussions on strengthening military and security cooperation between the two countries. For more on Secretary Austin’s visit to Angola, VOA’s Esther Githui-Ewart spoke to VOA Pentagon Correspondent Carla Babb from Luanda.
September 26, 2023
US Defense Secretary Begins Tour of Africa

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin wrapped up talks with the Kenyan Defense minister Aden Duale on Monday about security, counter-terrorism and deepening ties with the United States. For an analysis into the significance of the Defense Secretary’s visit to Kenya, VOA’s Esther Githui-Ewart spoke to VOA Pentagon Correspondent Carla Babb.
August 10, 2023
US to Provide Ukraine up to $200 Million in New Aid

PENTAGON — The United States is providing up to $200 million in additional military aid for Ukraine, two U.S. officials told VOA, in a package that is expected to include more rockets for HIMARS and more munitions for Patriot surface-to-air missile defense systems.

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