The number of attacks against US and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria is increasing
German soldiers of the international coalition forces in the city of Qadia in the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan on March 8, 2023. (Credit: ISMAEL ADNAN/AFP via Getty Images)
America’s forces and The international coalition fighting ISIS Iraq and Syria were attacked eight times over the weekend, bringing the total to 38 since October 17.
Since Friday, US forces have come under attack by pro-Iranian groups on eight occasions using drones and multiple rocket attacks, a US official said on Monday.
On Friday afternoon, a drone was shot down near Shadadi, Syria, with no casualties or damage to infrastructure On Saturday morning, another drone was shot down near Shadadi, with no casualties or damage to infrastructure.
The frequency of attacks increased on Sunday, with a total of five separate incidents; Drones were shot down three times near Tal Baydar (Syria), Al-Danf Garrison (Syria) and Al-Assad Air Base (Iraq). The attack on al-Assad included bombing with multiple rockets along with drones.
Another drone was shot down near Dal Bedar (Syria) on Monday morning. None of the weekend attacks caused casualties or damage to infrastructure, according to a US official.
“Most of these attacks were successfully repelled by our forces,” the US official said. “Thanks to our strong defenses, most failed to achieve their objectives.”
With the weekend incidents, there have now been at least 38 attacks against US and coalition forces since October 17.
The Pentagon also this Monday updated the number of US troops wounded by the escalating attacks in Iraq and Syria. More than 20 others suffered minor injuries, Defense Department spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder said. The Pentagon last said on Oct. 25 that 21 U.S. service members reported minor injuries.
Five more soldiers from al-Tanf Garrison in Syria were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and 10 others were diagnosed with other minor injuries, including “contusions, headaches, punctured eardrums, tinnitus, sprained ankles,” Ryder said. , etc.” In Iraq, 10 people were diagnosed with minor injuries: nine at Al-Assad Air Base and one in Erbil.
Ryder also said two of the U.S. troops who had previously been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury and returned to duty had been transferred to Landstuhl, Germany, for further testing. They are in stable condition, Ryder said, and the rating is “very cautious.”
Ryder added that all of the injuries occurred before the Oct. 26 U.S. strike on facilities used by pro-Iranian groups.
“This can happen for a number of reasons: people who initially dismiss the severity of injuries from a direct or indirect blast may delay reporting or seek treatment or develop symptoms. Employees may seek care later after initial notification,” Ryder said. “Thus, if injuries are not readily apparent to medical personnel providing care immediately after an incident, reporting data relies heavily on self-report.”
