A Pentagon official said they are concerned about the “escalation” of attacks against U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria.
“We’ve seen rocket and [unmanned aerial vehicle] attacks against bases housing U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria. And what you’ve heard from the president, from Secretary Blinken, from Secretary Austin, and many of the spokespeople across the U.S. government is our concern about the escalation of these attacks in the days ahead,” a senior defense official said.
The official noted that there is potential for “much more significant escalation against U.S. forces and personnel in the near term. And let’s be clear about it, the road leads back to Iran. Iran funds, arms, equips, and trains militias and proxy forces, all across the region that have consistently undermined the stability, cost in civilian life, and at a cost the entire region of security and stability.”
Following the strikes against U.S. troops, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that he would respond “swiftly and decisively” if the attacks continued.
“The U.S. does not seek conflict with Iran. We do not want this war to widen,” Blinken declared. “But, if Iran or its proxies attack U.S. personnel anywhere, make no mistake: We will defend our people, we will defend our security, swiftly and decisively.”
In an October 24 press conference, Brigadier General Pat Ryder revealed that U.S. troops were attacked at least 13 times between October 17-24.
Ten attacks occurred in Iraq and three attacks occurred in Syria “via a mix of one way attack drones and rockets,” the general explained.
He added that “[i]f there is a ground incursion, we are going to scale up our attacks.”
