The Pentagon announced on Wednesday that twenty-one U.S. soldiers sustained injuries in drone attacks on American bases in Iraq and Syria in just two days last week.
“Between Oct. 17-18 (ET), twenty-one U.S. personnel received minor injuries due to drone attacks at Al Assad Airbase, Iraq and Al-Tanf Garrison, Syria,” Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement.
Ryder confirmed that all service members returned to their duties, but also noted that in some cases injuries like traumatic brain injuries can be reported by service members several days after the attacks, potentially leading to changes in the overall count.
Last week, Iran’s proxy forces launched attacks against the U.S. bases amid air strikes and preparations for Israel’s ground invasion into Gaza against Hamas, after Hamas terrorists killed more than 1,400 in an attack targeting Jews in southern Israel on October 7. Several hundred were reportedly kidnapped, including Americans.
Pentagon officials haven’t pinpointed the responsible groups behind the attacks, but they attribute them to Iran’s financial and logistical support, and they anticipate further attacks on U.S. troops.
Ryder told reporters on Tuesday: “We know that the groups conducting these attacks are supported by the [Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps] and the Iranian regime.”
“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,” he said.
As we already reported, the Pentagon has deployed additional U.S. troops and resources to the area.
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