Despite the Pentagon's warnings about the escalation of attacks on U.S. forces stationed in the Middle East and the deployment of naval assets in the region to enhance response capabilities, attacks on these forces have sharply increased in recent weeks. These bases were targeted in six attacks over 24 hours, and more than 50 attacks occurred last month, according to U.S. network "News Max." The U.S. Department of Defense announced that the number of its injured troops due to non-missile attacks launched by armed factions on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria has now risen to at least 46. Two soldiers were airlifted to the regional Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany for monitoring related to head injuries following one of the attacks.
The Kurdistan Counter-Terrorism Agency announced yesterday, Tuesday, that three armed drones were shot down in two separate attacks over Erbil Airport in northern Iraq, where U.S. forces and other international forces are stationed. These attacks are the latest in a series targeting U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, coinciding with rising tensions in the Middle East due to the war between Israel and Hamas.
Reports indicated that U.S. forces have suspended patrols in northeastern Syria out of fear of ground attacks, alongside repeated strikes on their bases using rockets and drones. According to an informed source, "U.S. forces have halted patrols in Hasakah and Deir ez-Zor provinces due to increasing threats and attacks on their bases." The source noted that "the forces fear armed factions will launch ground attacks targeting their patrols and soldiers in Hasakah and Deir ez-Zor."
Typically, U.S. forces conduct semi-daily patrols in oil field areas and the border strip with Turkey in Hasakah province, as well as other patrols around the Al-Omar and Tanak oil fields in Deir ez-Zor countryside. Currently, U.S. troop movements on the ground are limited to escorting convoy trucks loaded with logistical and military supplies coming from the Kurdistan region of Iraq to the international coalition bases in Syria.
