American forces stationed in the Middle East are on heightened alert following a series of attacks targeting their bases in Iraq and Syria since October 17. The United States is pointing the finger at Iran for the actions carried out by Iraqi Shiite factions close to Iran, as well as the missiles fired by Houthi rebels in Yemen in the direction of Israel, which the US Navy shot down in flight on Thursday, October 19. In view of Washington's strong support for Israel in its war against Hamas, the Pentagon does not rule out a "significant" escalation against its troops in the region.
Since the explosion at the Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza on October 17 – which multiple expert reports and independent investigations believe was caused by the fall of a rocket fired by a Palestinian group – at least 13 armed drone and rocket attacks have targeted US and international coalition bases against the Islamic State group, according to the Pentagon. In Iraq, 10 of these were carried out against the Ain al-Asad air base in the west, the al-Harir air base in Iraqi Kurdistan, and a military camp near Baghdad airport. These sites hold more than 2,500 US troops, as well as 1,000 soldiers from other countries belonging to the international coalition.
In Syria, Iraqi factions supporting President Bashar al-Assad carried out at least three attacks on the al-Tanf and Conoco bases in the east of the country. Nearly 900 US troops attached to the anti-IS group coalition are stationed in the region administered by Kurdish forces. The United States did not retaliate to these attacks, but Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin warned that Washington reserved the right to defend itself.
In a telephone conversation on Tuesday, October 24, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani to ensure the safety of international forces deployed in Iraq at the invitation of the country to train and assist its armed forces. These attacks embarrass Baghdad. Al-Sudani, whose government is backed by the same Shiite parties and factions allied with Tehran, has given strong support to the Palestinians against Israel. Attacks on foreign forces, however, remain a red line. On Monday, Yahya Rassoul, his spokesperson for military affairs, called them "unacceptable."
Blinken fears that factions allied with Iran are stepping up their attacks on US troops and citizens. US officials confirmed to CNN, on condition of anonymity, that they had information corroborating this concern. There are "red lights flashing everywhere," one of them told the news channel.
You have 54.68% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.