US forces in Iraq and Syria see increased attacks

Washington November 07, 2023 (QJ) -The U.S. military personnel stationed in Iraq and Syria have been targeted in drone or rocket attacks by groups believed to be supported by Iran at least 38 times over the past few weeks, including six recent attacks, according to the Pentagon.

Military officials said most of these attacks were either thwarted by U.S. forces or caused limited damage.
These attacks have resulted in injuries to 46 American troops, more than previously reported, according to Pentagon press secretary Brigadier General Pat Ryder.

The U.S. casualties came from four separate attacks: a drone attack on Erbil International Airport, where a drone was shot down before it could launch its attack; two rocket attacks on Al-Asad Airbase in western Iraq; and a drone attack on the Al-Tanf garrison in Syria.

Ryder told reporters on Monday that all of the injured troops have since returned to duty. However, two U.S. service members are being sent to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany for further evaluation and treatment of their injuries.

At least 16 of the attacks targeting U.S. forces have been claimed by Iranian-backed militias, following an attack on a weapons depot in eastern Syria last Monday by US forces, the Pentagon has said Iran and the groups it supports owned the depot.