U.S. troops and coalition forces have had to go on the defensive against hostile drone attacks, resulting in injuries. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) made the announcement on Wednesday, stating:
“In the last 24 hours, the U.S. military defended against three drones near U.S. and Coalition forces in Iraq. In western Iraq, U.S. forces engaged two drones, destroying one and damaging the second, resulting in minor injuries to Coalition forces,” read a statement from CENTCOM.
“Separately in northern Iraq, U.S. forces engaged and destroyed a drone, resulting in no injuries or damage. We are continuing to assess the impacts to operations.” Reports state there were also attacks within Syria, near its border with Iraq.
“In this moment of heightened alert, we are vigilantly monitoring the situation in Iraq and the region. We want to emphasize U.S. forces will defend U.S. and Coalition forces against any threat,” the press release continued.
Just The News reports “While CENTCOM did not identify a party responsible for the engagements, the drone encounters come at a time of heightened tensions between the U.S. and middle eastern nations, especially Iran.”
President Joe Biden last week warned Iran against aggressive action in the wake of the raid.
“I spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu I don’t know how many times, but again this morning, and already we’re surging additional military assistance to the Israeli Defense Forces, including ammunition, interceptors to replenish the Iron Dome, and we’ve moved the U.S. carrier fleet to the Eastern Mediterranean, and we’re sending more fighter jets there to that region, and made it clear — made it clear to the Iranians: Be careful,” he said at the time.
In Iraq, Iran maintains influence through the support of militias within the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an officially Baghdad-endorsed coalition of militia groups that rose to prominence fending off the Islamic State.
