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U.S. President Joe Biden stopped mid-speech to go to the Situation Room, citing an "issue" that needed his attention during his press conference at the White House on Tuesday, October 24, 2022. The incident occurred while the 80-year-old was addressing the nation regarding the hostages taken by Hamas in their ongoing conflict with Israel.
However, Biden had to end his remarks early after a sudden "issue" compelled him to go to the Situation Room.
"I apologize, but I have to go to the Situation Room. There's an issue I need to deal with," he stated.
Biden's speech came moments after news of Hamas militants releasing two hostages held inside Gaza since the October 7 attacks. This brings the total number of hostages released to four, while about 200, including 10 American citizens, still remain captive.
During his speech, the 46th President trampled any talks of a ceasefire until the remaining American hostages were released.
According to PBS, the situation room is a 24-hour watch and alert center that provides the President, his advisors, and the National Security Council, with current intelligence on crisis at home and abroad. It was first created in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy.
U.S. military bases in Syria and Iraq were reportedly under fire around the time that Biden headed to the Situation Room
Joe Biden was talking about "Bidenomics" when he abruptly rushed to the Situation Room. Around the same time, reports of the White House saying that "Iran-based proxy groups" were "actively facilitating" rocket and drone attacks on U.S. Military bases in Iraq and Syria surfaced online, as per Reuters.
The attacks took place at three bases, namely, Haql al-Omar, Al-Shaddadi, and Al Tanf with reports of loud explosions resonating near the Al Omar oil field where U.S. troops were stationed.
Following the attacks, President Biden reportedly told the Department of Defence to "brace for more and respond appropriately." The Pentagon released a statement, adding that the Biden administration was:
"Preparing to deal with the escalation against our forces in the Middle East and respond decisively."
Soon, the Iraq-based Mujahideen of the Islamic Resistance published a statement taking responsibility for the attack on the two "occupation bases" in Syria, Haql al-Omar and Al-Shaddadi.
In a separate announcement, US CENTCOM stated that the military managed to destroy two one-way drones before they reached their intended target located in southwest Syria and added that no causalities were reported.
During a press call, White House spokesperson, John Kirby, expressed concern over Iran "actively facilitating" these attacks and exploiting conflicts for their own benefit.
However, the government has not confirmed why Biden had to end the conference and rush to the situation room.
Currently, the United States has deployed about 2,000 Marines to the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas conflict started. The Pentagon has redirected the USS Eisenhower to join the USS Ford that arrived in the Mediterranean following the alleged-Iranian attacks.
Referring to the ceasefire, Kirby stated that their priority is to ensure Israel has the tools needed to defend itself from Hamas, while the humanitarian assistance continues. Biden himself also took to X to clarify that "Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people."
