Drone strike targets U.S. troops in Northeast Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – U.S. forces were attacked late on Friday with a drone strike in Kharab al-Jir base near the town of Rmelan in northeastern Syria.
A U.S. official told Reuters there were no injuries according to initial reports.
“Initial reports do not indicate any injuries, however medical evaluations are ongoing. We are currently conducting a damage assessment,” the U.S. official said on the condition of anonymity about the attack in Syria.
This is the second attack on U.S. forces in the Middle East in recent days.
On Aug. 5, five American soldiers were injured when two Katyusha rockets were fired at the Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq. The Pentagon attributed the attack to Iranian-backed militias.
The attacks came as tension surges in the region after the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, in Tehran, with the potential for more attacks from Iranian-backed militias.
Iran threatened to avenge against Israel, whom they blame for Haniyeh’s killing. Israel has not taken responsibility for the killing.
This incident, along with the assassination of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr by an Israeli strike in Beirut, has raised concerns about the conflict in Gaza escalating into a broader Middle East war.
Iran also criticized the U.S. for supporting Israel, claiming it bears responsibility for Haniyeh’s assassination.