Due to Washington’s strong support for the Jewish state since its war against Hamas, American forces stationed in the region have been targeted. The Pentagon has recorded 13 attacks in Iraq and Syria since October 17, and fears an “uncontrollable” escalation.
Since the Hamas assault on October 7, rocket and drone fire has increased on American bases, while the last six months had been rather quiet. In just one week, since the al-Ahli hospital episode of October 17, these bases have been attacked 13 times, three times in Syria, ten times in Iraq. The figures come from the Pentagon.
Bases sheltering the coalition against ISIS
Rockets andhe armed drones are falling on the installations where American soldiers and soldiers of other nationalities live, also engaged in the international coalition against the Islamic State group. About 2,500 of those troops are based in Iraq, where they are primarily doing training, since their combat mission ended almost two years ago. In Syria, there are 900, who however continue to regularly carry out raids against the jihadists.
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For now, these attacks have little impact thanks to anti-missile defense systems. According to the Pentagon, only around twenty soldiers were very lightly injured and returned to their posts. But the risk of a deadly strike on a base exists, of a missile against a helicopter, which could lead to military escalation “significant, even uncontrollable”, Washington said.
Other bases threatened in the region
American troops stationed in Kuwait and the Arab Emirates have also been designated as targets. The United States more broadly anticipates attacks against all its nationals present in the region, whether military or civilian. This is also why they are holding Israel back as much as possible from a ground intervention in Gaza.
The claim for most of these attacks comes from group “Islamic Resistance in Iraq”, which in reality represents several jihadist factions. Experts don’t know exactly how many there are in the region. This group does not explicitly claim to be affiliated with Iran, but it published its demands on Telegram channels close to Shiite factions loyal to Tehran. For Washington there is no doubt, the Iranian regime, Israel’s sworn enemy, is involved by proxy.
Reinforced military deterrence
Since then, the United States has urged the Iraqi government to play its role in ensuring the security of the international forces present at its request. Above all, they have strengthened their defense system. Two aircraft carriers are deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean, for deterrence purposes, Patriot surface-to-air batteries have been transported to the region, with the pre-deployment of additional forces. In Baghdad, non-essential embassy staff were also evacuated.
“We are not looking for conflictSecretary of State Anthony Blinken said Tuesday, October 24, at the United Nations Security Council, “But if Iran or its proxies attack American personnel anywhere, make no mistake: we will defend our people and our security with speed and determination.”