According to NBC News, U.S. Central Command has confirmed that a number of American military personnel were injured in drone attacks that occurred last week at U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria. The attacks resulted in approximately two dozen injuries.
Last week, attacks were confirmed by the Pentagon, but the number of casualties among U.S. forces was not disclosed until now.
On October 18, at least two one-way attack drones targeted the al-Tanf military base in southern Syria, resulting in minor injuries sustained by twenty American personnel, according to CENTCOM.
According to CENTCOM, one of the drones was brought down, but fortunately, none of the military installations were damaged. Furthermore, all the injured personnel have been treated and are back on duty.
CENTCOM reported that on the same day, two separate drone attacks targeted U.S. and coalition forces stationed at al-Asad base in western Iraq, resulting in minor injuries for four American personnel.
CENTCOM reported that although the U.S. successfully intercepted the one-way attack drones, a hanger containing small aircraft was damaged by the debris of one drone that was destroyed. Fortunately, all of the injured personnel were able to return to duty.
During a shelter-in-place order, an American civilian contractor passed away due to a cardiac incident. However, it is important to note that this incident did not happen during one of the drone attacks.
Tensions in the region have been on the rise due to the conflict in Israel, and in the midst of this, attacks occurred.
According to Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the press secretary at the Pentagon, U.S. and coalition forces were subjected to a series of attacks in Iraq and Syria over the past week. These attacks, which involved a combination of one-way attack drones and rockets, occurred at least 10 times in Iraq and three times in Syria.
According to Ryder, Iran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are providing support to the groups responsible for carrying out the attacks.
According to Ryder, there is a high possibility of a significant increase in attacks against U.S. personnel and forces in the region, both from Iranian proxy forces and Iran itself, in the near future.
He added that defending themselves is always their priority and they will not hesitate to take action to safeguard their forces and interests abroad.
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