Retired U.S. Army Gen. David Perkins reacts to the 74 attacks on U.S. forces in the Middle East since Oct. 17 on ‘The Story.’ U.S. forces stationed in Syria were attacked Tuesday, Pentagon officials said Thursday, marking the 74th time since Oct. 17 that troops were targeted in the Middle East. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh confirmed the attack during Thursday’s Department of Defense briefing.
“There was an attack on Tuesday…that brings the total attacks up to 74 attacks from October 17th until now,” she said, adding that there were no additional attacks over the last two days.
Singh also said there were no injuries reported from the attack, nor any damage to infrastructure. The 74 attacks on U.S. troops have taken place in Iraq and Syria and began on Oct. 17 by Iraqi militia groups. The attacks are reportedly linked to the U.S.’s support for Israel in its retaliation against the Palestinian militant group Hamas, following its attack on Oct. 7.
The attacks do not include ballistic missiles being shot in the direction of U.S. military vessels, which commanding officers on those ships have ordered to be shot down.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Navy Destroyer USS Carney shot down an Iranian-made Houthi drone launched from Yemen. There was no damage to the Carney or any injuries to the U.S. personnel onboard the vessel, which was sailing near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the time of the attack.
During the briefing, Singh was asked why Houthi drones and missiles heading in the vicinity of U.S. ships were not being included in the number of attacks. She explained that action is being taken against drones and missiles when commanding officers on those ships feel they pose a threat.
“In terms of intended target…our initial assessment is that the ships were not the intended target, but they came close enough where, at least the Carney, felt the need that it had to engage the drone that was coming its way or headed toward the general direction,” Singh said.
She could not say what the intended target of the drones or missiles were, but the initial assessment, Singh added, was that the ships were not the intended target.
“It is up to the commanders of these ships if they feel that they are under attack, or they feel like their personnel are threatened, to be able to respond and take action,” Singh said.
These attacks on U.S. forces in the Middle East raise concerns about the ongoing security situation in the region. With 74 attacks recorded since October 17, it is evident that U.S. troops are facing significant threats from Iraqi militia groups. The attacks are believed to be a response to U.S. support for Israel’s actions against Hamas, which escalated tensions in the region.
However, it is important to note that the attacks discussed in this article do not include ballistic missiles targeted at U.S. military vessels. Commanding officers have taken proactive measures to shoot down such missiles to protect the ships and personnel onboard.
The recent incident involving the U.S. Navy Destroyer USS Carney successfully intercepting an Iranian-made Houthi drone highlights the ongoing challenges faced by U.S. forces in the Middle East. While no injuries or damages were reported, it underscores the need for constant vigilance and response to potential threats.
The Pentagon spokesperson, Sabrina Singh, clarified that the ships were not the intended targets of the Houthi drones or missiles. However, the ships took action to engage the incoming drones when they were deemed to pose a threat to personnel and security.
As the situation continues to evolve, the U.S. government and military will need to assess and address the increasing number of attacks on U.S. forces in the Middle East. The safety and security of U.S. troops remain a top priority, and measures will be taken to ensure their protection.
