Two drone attacks target US forces in northern Iraq

In a recent series of events that highlight growing tensions in the region, two drone attacks targeted US and coalition forces stationed at Al-Harir Air Base in Erbil governorate.

The first attack occurred at 23:00 local time on Wednesday, followed by a second attack at 00:40 on Thursday. These attacks, confirmed by the Iraqi Kurdistan’s counter-terrorism service, did not result in casualties or damages at the base, where US soldiers are stationed.

The surge in attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria has coincided with the recent outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hamas on October 7. Iraqi armed groups had previously issued threats to target US interests with missiles and drones if Washington intervened in support of Israel.

Pentagon press secretary, Brigadier General Pat Ryder, revealed that Iranian-backed militias have targeted American soldiers in Iraq and Syria with drones or rockets at least 38 times in less than a month. Six of these incidents occurred within a span of just two days. In response to these attacks, US forces struck a weapons warehouse and an ammunition warehouse in eastern Syria last Friday, believed to be used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and affiliated groups.

With regional tensions escalating due to the Israel-Hamas conflict, Washington remains on high alert for activities by groups backed by Iran. Currently, the United States has approximately 900 soldiers stationed in Syria and 2,500 soldiers in Iraq. The situation is evolving, and security concerns persist in the region as these attacks continue to pose a threat to US and coalition forces.