The total number of attacks on U.S. troops in the Middle East increased over the weekend, with what appears to be six more incidents since last week.
By the numbers:
- There have been 20 attacks on American positions in Iraq and another 18 in Syria.
- Those clashes have injured 46 American service members, but no one has been severely wounded or killed.
- Twenty-four troops have suffered traumatic brain injuries from the assaults on U.S. bases.
Iranian-backed proxy groups have fired rockets and explosive drones at American positions as the U.S. has warned the groups may be seeking to take advantage of the Israel-Hamas war.
“The United States now finds itself on a new war footing with Iran and its regional partners,” wrote Jon Hoffman, foreign policy analyst at the Cato Institute.
Since the war began, the U.S. has deployed thousands of personnel aboard two aircraft carrier strike groups to the eastern Mediterranean along with a Marines’ special operations group.
The U.S. also deployed, just this week, an Ohio-class nuclear-powered submarine.
“We will make sure that we’re taking any necessary actions to protect our forces,” Pentagon Press Secretary Brigadier General Pat Ryder told reporters.
@The Hill