The Pentagon said Tuesday that American forces in Iraq and Syria had been targeted by drone or missile attacks at least 13 times in the past week. “Between October 17 and October 24, American and international coalition forces (anti-jihadists, editor’s note) were attacked at least 10 times in Iraq and three times in Syria,” Pentagon spokesman General Pat Ryder said, specifying that this is a preliminary assessment.
These attacks were carried out by both drones and missiles, he added. Armed groups close to Iran have threatened to attack American bases because of Washington’s support of Israel, which has been at war with Hamas since the Palestinian Islamist movement’s unprecedented offensive on October 7. According to the latest figures from Israeli authorities, more than 1,400 people were killed on the Israeli side that day, mostly civilians killed by Hamas.
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“Strong escalation”
According to the Hamas Ministry of Health, at least 5,791 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed since the Israeli army began its incessant bombardment of the Gaza Strip. Without naming those responsible for the offensives against American forces, Pat Ryder emphasized that they were organized by groups “backed by the Revolutionary Guard and the Iranian regime.” Some of these attacks were notably claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq group on Telegram channels, which is affiliated with Shiite factions loyal to Iran, Israel’s arch-enemy.
“What we are seeing is the prospect of a sharp escalation against U.S. forces and soldiers across the region in the near future by Iran-aligned forces and ultimately by Iran,” he said, supporting Gen. Ryder. Washington has around 900 troops in Syria and nearly 2,500 in Iraq fighting the Islamic State organization and often carrying out attacks against jihadists. The United States announced on Sunday that it would increase its military presence in the region and warned Iran and allied armed organizations against an expansion of the conflict in the Middle East.