Pentagon —
U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria have been attacked with drones or rockets at least 13 times over the past week, Pentagon press secretary Brigadier General Pat Ryder said Tuesday, confirming earlier VOA reporting.
Responding to a question from VOA, Ryder blamed Iranian-backed proxies for the near daily attacks on U.S. forces.
“We know that the groups conducting these attacks are supported by the IRGC [Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] and the Iranian regime. What we are seeing is the prospect for more significant escalation against U.S. forces and personnel across the region in the very near term coming from Iranian proxy forces and ultimately from Iran,” he said.
“If and when we would decide to respond, we will do so at a time and place of our choosing,” Ryder added.
The attacks have resulted in about 20 minor injuries to Americans in Syria and four minor injuries to American personnel in Iraq, all of whom have returned to duty, two U.S. officials told VOA. The military continues to monitor for any potential traumatic brain injuries caused by the attacks, one of the officials added.
One U.S. contractor at al-Asad Air Base in Iraq died after suffering a