WASHINGTON: The Pentagon on Monday said that U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria have been targeted 27 times over the past week.
Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters that at least 45 U.S. military personnel have been injured in the attacks, including 24 with brain injuries. He added there have been 38 total attacks on U.S. bases 20 in Iraq and 18 in Syria.
He said that proxy groups in Iraq and Syria have been behind such attacks. Ryder added that drones and rockets were used in such attacks.
Ryder said 32 troops have been wounded at al-Tanf in southern Syria and another 13 have been injured at al Asad Air Base in western Iraq.
US vows to take necessary action to defend in its forces
He said that the US will be taking any necessary actions to defend in its forces.
The US official went on to say the attacks come after warnings from the Biden administration aimed at militias not to add hostilities in the area.
Read Also: Pentagon Acknowledges Unarmed Surveillance Drones over Gaza
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday said it was very significant to send a very clear message to anyone who might seek to take benefit of the war in Gaza to threaten our personnel in the region.
The U.S. military carried out airstrikes in Syria on October 26 against facilities used by militias.
