The Pentagon has recently announced a concerning uptick in attacks against American forces stationed in Iraq and Syria. In a press briefing, Pentagon Press Secretary General Patrick Ryder reported a total of 38 attacks in just the past few days. Since the end of October, when the U.S. conducted a series of self-defense strikes in Syria, its bases have seen a significant increase in attacks.
General Ryder detailed to the press that since October 17th, there have been 20 attacks in Iraq and 18 in Syria, comprising harassment from unmanned drones and missile strikes.
Additionally, the spike in hostilities has resulted in an increase in American troop casualties. Ryder noted that there have been 45 injuries in total, ranging from minor to traumatic brain injuries.
Furthermore, Ryder explained that the deployment of the Ohio-class submarine to the Middle East is aimed at bolstering American deterrence efforts in the region. This follows the U.S.’s previous deployment of significant naval assets to the Middle East, including the aircraft carriers USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, amidst the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The escalation of incidents underscores the volatile nature of the region and the ongoing risks faced by military personnel.
