At least two dozen US military personnel based in Iraq and Syria were injured in a drone strike last week that officials said was launched by an Iran-backed proxy group.
The largest attack on a US base was on October 18 when 20 soldiers suffered “minor injuries,” after multiple drones targeted the al-Tanf Garrison in southeastern Syria, US military officials said, according to the Washington Post.
All the injured personnel have returned to duty, the officials, who declined to be identified, told the newspaper.
On the same day, several drones also targeted the US and its allies in two separate attacks on the Ain al-Asad Air Base in western Iraq that left four people lightly injured, the Washington Post reported. Those who were injured also returned to duty.
A US citizen working as a contractor died the same day after he suffered a heart attack during protective orders at the base.
The Pentagon said the group behind the attack was backed by Iran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
One of the attacks injured several soldiers at the Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq’s western Anbar desert, pictured on Dec. 29, 2019.AP The largest attack carried out against a US base was on Oct. 18 when 20 soldiers suffered. “minor injuries,” after multiple drones targeted al-Tanf Garrison in southeastern Syria, seen on Oct. 22. 2018.AP
“What we see is the prospect of a more significant escalation of US forces and personnel across the region in the near term coming from Iranian proxy forces, and ultimately from Iran,” Brig. Gene. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, told NBC News.
On October 19, US and coalition forces faced rocket attacks at three different locations, although the attacks did not lead to injuries or damage to infrastructure, according to officials.
The three sites targeted that day were the Euphrates Mission Support Site in Syria, Ain al-Asad Air Base and the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center in Iraq, the Washington Post reported.
Another attack was launched three days later with one-way drone attacks on empty areas in Bashur, Iraq and again on Ain al-Asad and al-Tanf.
US troops carry the Iraqi and US national flags during a flag retirement ceremony on December 15, 2011 at the Diplomatic Support Center in Baghdad, marking the end of US military involvement in the country. Reuters
Iranian proxy terrorists have increasingly focused on US military bases as tensions in the region have risen since the Israel-Hamas flare-up following the terror group’s bloody invasion of the Jewish state on October 7.
Ryder told reporters Monday that the US did not see Iran “clearly” ordering the attack, although he warned “No one wants to see a broader regional conflict, but we will not hesitate to protect our forces.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
