A Pentagon official confirmed on Saturday that U.S. and international coalition forces have been subjected to at least 61 attacks in Syria and Iraq since October 17th last year.
In an exclusive statement to the U.S. channel Alhurra, the American official noted that most of these attacks were thwarted or failed to achieve their objectives. The official mentioned a specific incident at the “Tel Bider” base in Syria, where one U.S. soldier sustained minor injuries. However, the attacks on the “Ain al-Assad” air base and “Harir” base in Iraq did not result in any injuries.
This series of attacks underscores the ongoing security challenges faced by U.S. and coalition forces in the region, amidst efforts to maintain stability and counter extremist threats.
The Iranian-backed forces involved in the attacks, operating in Iraq and Syria, have merged under the new name, Islamic Resistance in Iraq. The groups have a history of engagement, having fought against the Islamic State under the Popular Mobilization Forces umbrella.
The U.S. military presence in the region remains a point of contention, with concerns about further retaliation and the delicate balance in responding to provocations without alienating the Iraqi government.
