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Soldiers deployed to al-Tanf garrison in Syria watch for the impact of a mortar round from an observation point during a readiness exercise on April 22, 2020. (William Howard/U.S. Army)
WASHINGTON — American and coalition troops have been attacked more than a dozen different times at bases in Iraq and Syria in the past week amid rising tensions in the Middle East, the Pentagon said Tuesday.
U.S. forces have seen attacks in recent days at the al-Tanf garrison in southeastern Syria and the al Asad and al-Harir air bases in Iraq. While the attacks have resulted in only minor injuries, the Defense Department said troops at the bases are repeatedly being targeted.
“Between Oct. 17 and [today] U.S. and coalition forces have been attacked at least 10 separate times in Iraq and three separate times in Syria via a mix of one-way attack drones and rockets,” said Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon’s top spokesman. “Those are the initial numbers. We are continuing to work to ensure we get you the facts.”
U.S. Central Command, which is responsible for American military operations in the Middle East, said 24 military personnel sustained minor injuries Oct. 18 in drone attacks at al-Tanf and al Asad. CENTCOM officials said they all quickly returned to duty. That same day at the Syria garrison, an American contractor died of a heart attack and an attack destroyed an aircraft hangar and small airplane.
The Defense Department declined to specifically identify what groups are launching the attacks but said they are supported by Iran.
“We know that the groups conducting these attacks are supported by [Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] and the Iranian regime. What we are seeing is the prospect for more significant escalation against U.S. forces and personnel across the region in the very near term,” Ryder said. “We know these groups are Iranian proxy groups.”
While all 13 attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria came within a couple of weeks of a surprise attack by Hamas militants against Israel on Oct. 7, the Pentagon has been hesitant to establish a clear connection. Military officials have said they are looking at the drone and rocket attacks as separate incidents, along with the firing of several rockets and drones by Houthi rebels in Yemen toward Israel that were shot down by the USS Carney operating in the Red Sea. It’s still not confirmed the Houthis were shooting at Israel, though Ryder said the missiles could travel roughly 1,200 miles, which would have put them well within the range of Israel.
The New Jersey Air National Guard’s 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron arrived within U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility, bolstering U.S. posture to defend U.S. forces and deter further aggression in the region. (Amy Rangel/U.S. Air National Guard)
U.S. officials also said Tuesday that additional air power has arrived in the region — F-16s from the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, known as the “Jersey Devils.”
“The arrival of these airmen strengthens our ability to support our allied, coalition and regional partners as we work together to enhance regional stability and security,” said Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, commander of the 9th Air Force and Combined Forces Air Component Command.
The arrival of the fighter jets comes as other U.S. forces were ordered during the weekend to the Middle East, including the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier strike group, a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery and more Patriot battery battalions. The Army air defense units were sent from Fort Bliss in Texas, Fort Liberty in North Carolina and Fort Sill in Oklahoma.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also gave pre-deployment orders to more service members, in addition to 2,000 troops who received the same orders several days earlier. None of the troops have been activated for deployment, Ryder said Tuesday.
The White House said Monday that President Joe Biden continues to work toward the release of all American hostages taken by Hamas and keeping up a steady flow of aid into the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military has delivered airstrikes into the Palestinian-held territory and is believed to be planning a ground incursion.
“We have made very clear that Palestinians are not Hamas and Hamas are not Palestinians. And it is very, very unfortunate that we see a terrorist group who embeds themselves within a civilian population,” Ryder said. “At the end of the day, what everyone is trying to do here is protect innocent, civilian lives … [and] ensuring that groups like Hamas cannot continue to do what they have done.”
Stars and Stripes reporter J.P. Lawrence contributed to this report.
