It is time Americans unequivocally understand that they are also targets of Hamas. Terrorist networks aligned with the Islamic Republic of the Middle East have taken similar aim at U.S. forces throughout the region. “U.S. positions in Iraq and Syria have come under at least 13 drone and missile attacks. Last week, the Iran-aligned Houthi militia fired off a fusillade of rockets and unmanned vehicles ‘potentially headed for Israel’ that were intercepted by an American Navy destroyer in the Red Sea” writes National Review.
On October 18, the Pentagon revealed that one American contractor in Iraq died after experiencing a cardiac event. The contractor was trying to seek shelter from an incoming rocket attack, which turned out to be a false alarm. The following day, a Defense Department spokesman acknowledged the “uptick” in attacks from Iran’s Shiite militia groups, but assured reporters that there was “no direct linkage” between their activities and Israel’s war with another Iran-backed terrorist entity.
When asked about casualty figures, the Pentagon could only say with confidence that no civilians were injured in the attacks. As for U.S. service personnel, the “numbers” were “all over the map” and therefore unreliable. “That’s another aspect that we’re looking at right now,” Brigadier General Pat Ryder assured reporters on October 19.
This week, the Pentagon finally was given an assessment of the Middle East. “At least 24 U.S. troops were wounded in the attacks on American positions in the Middle East, Defense officials admitted on Tuesday” writes National Review. Most of those are classified as “minor injuries,” but they nonetheless jeopardize the readiness of America’s forward positions.
The Pentagon “expects these figures will rise in the coming days.” Ryder suggested “What we are seeing is the prospect for more significant escalation against U.S. forces and personnel across the region in the very near-term coming from Iranian proxy forces and ultimately from Iran.” The Defense Department is “preparing for this escalation” and for the eventual prospect of “responding decisively.”
