24 American soldiers injured in drone attacks on US bases in Iraq, Syria: reports

At least two-dozen American military personnel based in Iraq and Syria were injured in drone attacks last week that officials said were launched by Iran-backed proxy groups.

The largest attack carried out against a US base was on Oct. 18 when 20 troops suffered “minor injuries,” after numerous one-way drones targeted al-Tanf Garrison in southeastern Syria, US military officials said, according to the Washington Post.

All injured personnel have since returned to duty, the officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told the newspaper.

On the same day, multiple drones also targeted the US and its allies in two different attacks on Ain al-Asad Air Base in western Iraq that left four people with minor injuries, the Washington Post reported. Those injured also returned to duty.

A US citizen working as a contractor died the same day after he went into cardiac arrest during a shelter-in-place order at the base.

The Pentagon has said the groups behind the attacks are supported by Iran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

One of the strikes injured several soldiers at the Ain al-Asad air base in the western Anbar desert of Iraq, pictured on Dec. 29, 2019.AP
The largest attack carried out against a US base was on Oct. 18 when 20 troops suffered “minor injuries,” after numerous one-way drones targeted al-Tanf Garrison in southeastern Syria, seen on Oct. 22, 2018.AP

“What we are seeing is the prospect for more significant escalation against U.S. forces and personnel across the region in the very near term coming from Iranian proxy forces, and ultimately from Iran,” Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, told NBC News.

On Oct. 19, US and coalition forces faced rocket attacks in three different locations, though the assaults didn’t lead to injuries or infrastructure damage, according to officials.

The three targeted sites that day were Mission Support Site Euphrates in Syria, Ain al-Asad Air Base and the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center in Iraq, the Washington Post reported.

Other attacks were launched the ensuing three days with one-way drones striking empty areas in Bashur, Iraq and once again hitting Ain al-Asad and al-Tanf.

US soldiers carry the Iraqi and US national flags during a flag retirement ceremony on Dec. 15, 2011 at Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center, marking the end of the US military engagement in the country. REUTERS

Iran’s proxy terrorists have increasingly zeroed in on US military bases as tensions in the region have spiked since the Israel-Hamas broke out following the terrorist group’s bloody Oct. 7 invasion of the Jewish nation.

Ryder told reporters Monday the US has not seen Iran “explicitly” order the attacks, though he warned “No one wants to see a wider regional conflict, but we will not hesitate to protect our forces.”