Attacks on US bases in Syria, Iraq diminished – Pentagon
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – U.S. Department of Defense stated on Monday that attacks on US bases in Syria and Iraq have diminished for the past few days, adding they remain in Iraq to focus on the defeat of the Islamic State (ISIS).
Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said in press briefing that the last known attack carried out by Iranian-backed militias on U.S. bases in Syria and Iraq was on 23 Nov.
He added the protection of U.S. forces is a priority and they would “respond appropriately” when attacked.
Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, following a surprise attack by Hamas, the so-called Islamic Resistance in Iraq has stepped up its attacks against US bases in Syria and Iraq.
Ryder stressed that even though the attacks are dangerous, but have been ineffective, contrary to U.S.’ “extremely effective” retaliatory attacks that diminished the capabilities of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Syria and Iraq.
“Should we need to conduct additional strikes, we will continue to diminish IRGC capability in Iraq and Syria to protect our forces and our important mission, which again is the defeat ISIS mission,” Ryder said.
He noted that Iranian-backed militias want the U.S. to leave, their forces, however, “are in Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi government, focused solely on the Defeat ISIS mission.”