U.S. Army Lt. Col. Darin Gaub (Ret.) expresses concern over the rising number of attacks on American troops in the Middle East since October 17. The Pentagon confirmed that Iranian proxies have carried out 58 attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria during this period. Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh, in a recent briefing, revealed that 27 attacks occurred in Iraq, while the remaining 31 took place in Syria. Disturbingly, seven attacks in Syria have occurred just since Sunday, indicating a persistent threat to U.S. troops.
Addressing the question of whether the Pentagon is waiting for a member of the service to be killed before taking stronger action against the proxies, Singh vehemently denied this, stating that they would never want to see such an outcome. She emphasized that the U.S. has already responded to these attacks and will continue to do so in a time and place of their choosing.
Singh also highlighted the recent action taken by the USS Thomas Hudner, an Arleigh Burke-Class destroyer, which successfully shot down a drone from Yemen in the Red Sea. This incident marks the latest in a series of drone attacks on American troops stationed in the Middle East, occurring alongside the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Singh reiterated the U.S.’s right to respond at their discretion but also clarified that the drone did not pose a direct threat to the ship. The ship’s commander engaged and shot down the drone as a precautionary measure due to its proximity to the crew.
Last week, the Iranian-backed Houthis shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone near the Yemeni Coast. The drone was conducting surveillance in Yemen when a Houthi militia fired upon it, resulting in the destruction of equipment estimated to be worth approximately $30 million. As of now, the U.S. has not responded to this incident, while the Houthis have issued threats against Israeli ships in the Red Sea.
The increasing number of attacks on U.S. troops in the Middle East and the recent drone incidents have raised concerns about the safety and security of American forces in the region. The Pentagon’s response, although emphasizing their readiness to counter these attacks, leaves room for speculation about the effectiveness of their actions. The ongoing tensions in the Middle East further exacerbate the situation, creating a volatile environment.
Stay updated with the latest news from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more political content by subscribing to our newsletter.
