55 attacks carried out on US forces in Iraq, Syria: Dep. Pentagon Press Sec.
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters on Tuesday that since Oct. 17 there have been 55 attacks on US forces, including 27 attacks in Iraq, and 28 in Syria amidst the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel.
The Washington Institute's Militia Monitor has so far tracked 73 attacks on US bases in both Iraq and Syria since Oct. 18.
“We are also tracking 59 U.S. personnel who have received injuries in the TBI (Traumatic brain injury) or non-serious categories since these attacks began,” Singh said.
“Approximately 27 personnel have been evaluated for TBI and 32 for other non-serious injuries. As of today, all 59 have returned to duty.”
Moreover, she said had no information if there were any casualties, when the US hit Iran-backed groups and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in eastern Syria for the third time on Nov. 13.
“We are aware that there were IRGC-affiliated members in the proximity of the facilities that were struck by our aircraft, but I don't have more on casualty numbers or anything else to read out.”
“We conducted three different strikes,” she added, while noting “We responded most recently this weekend. And again, we will always reserve the right to respond at a time and place of our choosing in the future.”
She also added that the US wants to have the conflict contained to Israel and Gaza. “We do not want to see a wider regional conflict. As of today, that has not happened. We have not seen this war spill over into other neighboring countries and into the region.”
Singh also noted that US troops are in Syria and Iraq for the mission to defeat ISIS.
“We have seen Iran and Iran proxy groups continue to attack US forces because we know Iran doesn't want us there, we know Iran does not want to see US forces on the ground.”
The Iran-backed Islamic Resistance of Iraq group on Wednesday claimed a new rocket attack on Ain al-Assad in western Iraq.
Read More: Iran-backed groups continue attacks on US bases in Deir ez-Zor
The day before, the group claimed attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in Deir ez-Zor.
Samantha Teal, a researcher at the Syria-based Rojava Information Centre (RIC), told Kurdistan 24 on Wednesday that "the escalating series of rocket and drone attacks, mostly claimed by the Iranian-backed so-called Islamic Resistance in Iraq, targeting U.S. bases in Syria in recent weeks has created a highly sensitive situation."
"The U.S. has responded, including by striking IRGC ammunition and weapons stores in areas of Deir ez-Zor held by the Government of Syria, where Iranian militias have a strong presence. Meanwhile, Turkish drone strikes in the autonomous region known as North and East Syria (NES) continue to target local military and civil personnel."