The United States military bases in Syria have recently been subjected to two separate attacks. These incidents follow a missile and drone attack by an Iranian-backed terror group, the Houthis.
A military base in southern Syria, where US troops have been training forces as part of a campaign against the Islamic State group, was targeted by drones. One drone was successfully intercepted and shot down, while another resulted in minor injuries.
In addition to this, there have been similar drone strikes against US and coalition bases in Iraq. This comes amidst rising tensions in the region following an explosion at a Gaza hospital that claimed hundreds of lives.
Earlier this month, the US military shot down a Turkish drone over Syria after it came too close to US troops in Hasakah, Syria, despite multiple warnings.
-Hezbollah will intervene if Israel invades Gaza
-Israel will kill Assad if Hezbollah intervenes
-Iran and Syria will attack US bases if Israel kills Assad
-US will retaliate if Iran and Syria attack US bases pic.twitter.com/xmLrI2nZ6s
— Artemis🇵🇸🪐🔭🌌 (@CosmosEnjoyer25) October 16, 2023
Furthermore, another US base in Syria, the Conoco Gas Field and US Operations base, reportedly been attacked twice within 48 hours. This base is located north of the previously mentioned attack at the US Base at the Al-Omar Oilfield in the south.
The Open Source Intelligence Monitor has reported significant damage to a pipeline and a large fire near a US Operations Base within the Al-Omar Oilfields of Northeastern Syria following these attacks.
The Pentagon suggested the missiles launched by the Iranian-backed terror group were potentially directed at Israel. However, the exact target remains unknown. The USS Carney, a US Navy destroyer on the coast of Yemen in the Red Sea, intercepted these missiles.
The US designated the Houthis in Yemen as a terror group; it is believed they received arms, training, and financial support from Iran and its proxy Hezbollah.
🚨Update: US forces under attack in the last 24 hours!!
🟥 US base in Syria's Conoco gas field got attacked.
🟥 US base in Syria's Tanf area got attacked.
🟥 US base in Iraq's Ain al-Assad airbase got attacked.
🟥 US Navy warship in Yemen's water just got attacked.Pro-… pic.twitter.com/NYvu6pwLI2
— US Civil Defense News (@CaptCoronado) October 20, 2023
The US Department of Defense has stated that any response to these attacks will come at a “Time and Manner of our Choosing.”
In the past week, the US sent a significant amount of naval power to the Middle East, including two aircraft carriers, their support ships, and about 2,000 Marines. The US Carney only moved into the Red Sea yesterday to help “Ensure Maritime Security and Stability in the Middle East Region.”
As of now, there is no evidence to suggest the Houthis missile and drone attacks and the reported attacks on the two US Military Bases in Syria are connected.
However, these incidents highlight the escalating tensions and instability in the region. It is crucial for the international community to take note of these developments and work towards ensuring peace and security.
