U.S. Forces Targeted in Syria by Two Drones

U.S. officials said on Thursday that American forces in Syria shot down two drones that targeted them, resulting in some minor injuries, as Washington heightens alertness for any activities from Iran-backed groups amid escalating regional tensions due to the war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement (Hamas). Reuters reported that the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the attack occurred on Wednesday against U.S. forces at the Tanf base near the borders of Syria with Iraq and Jordan. The officials did not attribute the attack to any group. The Al-Mayadeen channel reported on Thursday that two U.S. military bases in Syria had been attacked. It mentioned that a drone strike targeted the Tanf base and that a rocket attack targeted the Conoco base in the northern Deir ez-Zor region. U.S. forces in Iraq faced two separate drone attacks on Wednesday, with one resulting in minor injuries to a small number of soldiers, although the forces managed to intercept an armed drone. It is noted that the United States has approximately 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 others in Syria, on a mission to advise and assist local forces in fighting the Islamic State (ISIS).