The United States has moved military assets in the Caribbean to safety ahead of the expected landfall on Tuesday of a massive hurricane that is set to slam into Jamaica.

Washington has an unusually large number of forces deployed in the region -- seven US Navy ships as well as F-35 stealth warplanes as part of what it calls counter-narcotics efforts -- and there is a danger of those assets being affected by Hurricane Melissa.

US forces "have implemented inclement weather plans and moved away from any area where current or forecasted weather conditions are hazardous and could potentially pose unacceptable levels of risk," the military's Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said when asked about preparations for the storm.

"Despite these recent actions, they remain ready and able to accomplish the

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