US and allied forces in Iraq and Syria have been targeted at least 13 times in the past week by drones and rocket fire, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.
Pentagon spokesman General Pat Ryder said US and other members of the coalition of anti-jihadist forces were attacked at least 10 times in Iraq and three times in Syria, according to a preliminary count.
Armed groups close to Iran have threatened to attack US bases because of Washington’s support for Israel, which has been at war with Hamas since the Palestinian Islamist movement launched an unprecedented offensive on 7 October.
Without identifying those responsible for the attacks on US forces, Ryder charged that they had been orchestrated by groups “supported by the Revolutionary Guards and the Iranian regime.”
In particular, some of these attacks were claimed by a group called ‘Islamic Resistance in Iraq’ on Telegram channels affiliated with Shiite factions loyal to Iran, Israel’s sworn enemy.
General Ryder said there was a prospect of a sharp escalation against U.S. forces and soldiers across the region in the near term by forces close to Iran, and ultimately by Iran.
Washington has around 900 troops in Syria and nearly 2,500 in Iraq fighting the Islamic State organisation and frequently carrying out attacks targeting jihadists.
