Attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria (2023–present)
Part of the spillover of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war

The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike groups in November 2023
Date17 October 2023[1] – present
(3 months)
Location
Iraq and Syria
Status

Ongoing

  • Iran-backed groups carry out airstrikes targeting US military bases in Iraq and Syria
  • US carries out airstrikes as a response
Belligerents
 Iran
 Syria[1]
Popular Mobilization Forces
Islamic Resistance in Iraq
Hezbollah Syrian Hezbollah[2]		  United States[1]
Kurdistan Region Kurdistan Region[3]
Commanders and leaders
Iran Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani
Iran Esmail Qaani
Syria Ali Mahmoud Abbas
Falih Al-Fayyadh
Mushtaq Talib al-Saidi †
Qais Khazali
Akram al-Kaabi		 United States Lloyd Austin
United States Charles Q. Brown Jr.
Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani
Units involved
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps[1]
National Defence Forces
Kata'ib Hezbollah[4]
Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq[5]
Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada[6]
Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba[6]
Ashab al Kahf[7]		  United States Army
 United States Air Force
Kurdistan Region Peshmerga
Casualties and losses
43 killed[lower-alpha 1] United States 1 contractor killed (non-combat)
United States 69 servicemen wounded[13][14]

Starting on 17 October 2023, Iran-backed militias initiated a coordinated series of more than 130 attacks on U.S. military bases and assets in Syria and Iraq.[15] These attacks resulted in injuries to dozens of U.S. servicemembers.[14] In retaliation, the U.S. has launched multiple counterattacks, resulting in the death of over 30 militants including a senior commander of the Nujaba Movement, Mushtaq Talib al-Saidi.[12]

Attacks

Al-Asad air base

On 18 October 2023, amid the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, Iraqi militants launched a drone strike on al-Asad Airbase, a United States base in northern Iraq.[16][17] The airstrike was intercepted.[18] The next day, a false alarm in the airbase caused the death of a civilian contractor from cardiac arrest.[19] On 20 October, the US ordered all non-emergency staff to leave their embassy in Baghdad and consulate in Erbil.[20] On 20 November, eight US and coalition soldiers were injured from a ballistic missile attack, and there was minor infrastructural damage after the air base was attacked by a ballistic missile.[21]

Al-Tanf garrison

On 18 October 2023, a drone strike by an Iranian proxy on the al-Tanf garrison resulted in over 20 injuries.[22] On 1 November, a minor drone strike was reported at the al-Tanf garrison.[23]

Al-Harir air base

On 8 November 2023, an armed drone targeted al-Harir air base hosting U.S. forces in northern Iraq.[24] On 25 December 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for a drone attack on the base which injured three US soldiers, one being critical.[25][14]

Other strikes

On 24 October 2023, the Islamic Resistance of Iraq claimed responsibility for multiple drone strikes on US bases in eastern Syria, notably al-Omar oil field in Deir ez-Zor Governorate and al-Shaddadi in the Al-Hasakah Governorate.[26] On 9 November, US forces were struck three separate times in 24 hours, including drone strikes in Al-Asad Airbase and Al-Harir Air Base, as well as an IED attack on a patrol near the Mosul Dam.[27]

On 10 January 2024, the Islamic Resistance of Iraq claimed responsibility for an attack on Hemo base in north of Hasakah province. As a result of this attack, the U.S. withdrew from the base, evacuating 350 U.S. soldiers and relocating them to Tal Baidar base.[28] Tal Baidar base was previously targeted by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq in November 2023.[29]

On 31 December 2023, Iraqi militias attacked a base used by the Peshmerga.[3]

Erbil

On the evening of 15 January 2024, Fateh ballistic missiles were launched in what were believed to have been fired from inside Iran at the city of Erbil, Iraq, the capital of the Kurdistan Region[30] The attack resulted in 4 deaths and 6 injuries. The attack targeted the US consulate under construction and alleged Mossad headquarters which killed Peshraw Dizayee.[31]

U.S. response

On 27 October, the United States military responded to the airstrikes by bombing weapons and ammunition storage facilities in Abu Kamal, Syria with F-16 fighter jets.[32][33] They further stated that a total of 16 military airstrikes were conducted by Iran-backed groups; 12 in Iraq and 4 in Syria.[32]

On 8 November, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that they had carried out attacks against the IRGC and IRGC-linked targets in Deir ez-Zor.[34] According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 9 workers in the facilities were killed in the strikes.[35]

On 12 November, the United States Department of Defense and Central command announced additional U.S. airstrikes targeting IRGC affiliated groups in response to continued airstrikes against U.S. forces in the region. The attacks targeted a safe house and training area used by militias in Mayadin and Abu Kamal[36] and resulted in the killing of 8 militiamen.[37]

On 21 November, a USAF AC-130 gunship retaliated against a Kata'ib Hezbollah vehicle near Abu Gharib, in response to the Islamic Resistance In Iraq's 20 November missile attack on U.S. forces at Ain al Assad Airbase.[38] According to U.S. assessments, several Iran-backed fighters were killed in the strike.[39] The following day, U.S. fighters jets conducted airstrikes on Iraqi Kata'ib Hezbollah facilities, killing over eight fighters.[40][9]

On 4 December, a U.S. airstrike near Kirkuk killed five Iraqi militants as they attempted to fire explosive projectiles at U.S. forces. They were identified as members of an Iran-backed militia. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed that the five people killed were its members, and vowed retaliation against the U.S.[10]

On 26 December, the U.S. conducted an airstrike on a PMU base in Hillah which killed one soldier and injured 20 others, with at least 12 being members of the Ministry of Interior.[11]

On 4 January, the United States carried out a drone strike on the headquarters of Harakat Al-Nujaba in Baghdad, with the specific target being Mushtaq Talib al-Saidi, a senior leader of Harakat al Nujaba held responsible for orchestrating attacks against US forces.[41] The strike resulted in the death of four individuals, including al-Saidi, and left six others wounded. According to Iraqi militia sources and police reports, the attack involved two rockets fired from a drone, which struck a vehicle within the headquarters.[42][12]

Iraqi government response

On 5 January 2024, The Prime Minister of Iraq Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani announced that the Iraqi government would begin a process towards the removal of the U.S.-led international military coalition following the American drone strike on Baghdad which assassinated Mushtaq Talib al-Saidi.[43]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Syria:[8]
    • 9 killed on 8 November
    • 8 killed on 12 November
    • 4 killed on 29 November
    • 4 killed on 7 December
    Iraq:
    • 8 killed on 22 November[9]
    • 5 killed on 3 December[10]
    • 1 killed on 26 December[11]
    • 4 killed on 4 January[12]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Baldore, Lolita C.; Copp, Tara (13 November 2023). "US conducts airstrikes against Iran-backed groups in Syria, retaliating for attacks on US troops". AP News. Washington, D.C.: Associated Press. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  2. ↑ "Institute for the Study of War". Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Drone attack on Iraqi Kurdistan military base". Arab News. 31 December 2023. Archived from the original on 31 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  4. ↑ "IRAN UPDATE, NOVEMBER 21, 2023". Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  5. ↑ "Institute for the Study of War". Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  6. 1 2 "Institute for the Study of War". Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  7. ↑ "IRAN UPDATE, NOVEMBER 28, 2023". Archived from the original on 2 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  8. ↑ "Since the Israeli aggression on Gaza...about 40 dead and wounded from groups affiliated with Iran as a result of 13 American air strikes on Deir ez-Zor" (in Arabic). Syrian Observatory for Human Right. 14 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  9. 1 2 "Toll of pro-Iran fighters killed in US strikes in Iraq rises to 8". The Times of Israel. 22 November 2023. Archived from the original on 22 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  10. 1 2 Azhari, Timour (3 December 2023). "Suspected U.S. strike in Iraq kills five militia members, sources say". Reuters. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  11. 1 2 "Iraq slams US after deadly strikes on pro-Iran forces". France 24. 26 December 2023. Archived from the original on 8 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  12. 1 2 3 "U.S. strike kills militia leader blamed for Iraq attacks - U.S. official". Reuters. 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  13. ↑ "Attacks on US troops in Iraq and Syria have resumed, Pentagon says". Military Times. 8 December 2023. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  14. 1 2 3 Stewart, Phil (26 December 2023). "US retaliates in Iraq after three US troops wounded in attack". reuters.com. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  15. ↑ Watson, Eleanor (14 January 2024). "Houthis vow to keep attacking ships in Red Sea after U.S., U.K. strikes target their weapons in Yemen". CBS News. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  16. ↑ Sewell, Abby; Copp, Tara; Abdul-Zahra, Qassim (18 October 2023). "Drone attack on base hosting US troops intercepted in Iraq, heightening fears of a broader conflict". Beirut, Lebanon: AP News. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  17. ↑ "Drone attack on US forces intercepted in Iraq – report". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 18 October 2023. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  18. ↑ Stewart, Phil; Ismail, Amina; Rasheed, Ahmed; Stewart, Phil (18 October 2023). "US says it thwarted drone attacks on troops in Iraq". Reuters. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  19. ↑ Ali, Idrees (20 October 2023). "US troops attacked in Iraq, Syria and on alert for more strikes". Reuters. Archived from the original on 23 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  20. ↑ AFP. "US orders its non-emergency staff to leave Baghdad embassy". www.timesofisrael.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  21. ↑ "Several U.S. service members injured in missile attack at Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq, Pentagon says - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 22 November 2023. Archived from the original on 22 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  22. ↑ "Drone attacks on American bases injured two dozen U.S. military personnel". NBC. Archived from the original on 22 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  23. ↑ "Drone attack on coalition base in Syria results in minor injury to service member from US partner force". CNN. 1 November 2023. Archived from the original on 6 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  24. ↑ "Armed drone targets Harir military base in northern Iraq -sources". Reuters. 9 November 2023. Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  25. ↑ "New drone attack targets US troops in Iraq". France 24. 25 December 2023. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  26. ↑ AP. "Iran-backed groups claim fresh attacks on US bases in Syria". www.timesofisrael.com. Archived from the original on 6 November 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  27. ↑ "Drone, explosive attacks target US forces across Iraq". Reuters. 9 November 2023. Archived from the original on 21 November 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  28. ↑ Adejumo, Quadri (16 January 2024). "US Military Base 'Hemo' in Syria Evacuated Amid Attacks by Pro-Iranian Groups". BNN Breaking. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  29. ↑ "US Forces Attacked 151 Times in Iraq, Syria During Biden Presidency". Voice of America. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  30. ↑
  31. ↑ Katy, Bader (15 January 2024). "Explosions reported near US Consulate in Iraq; Iran claims responsibility". ABC News.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  32. 1 2 "US strikes Syria bases used by Iran-linked groups". BBC News. 27 October 2023. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  33. ↑ Mitra-Thakur, Sofia (27 October 2023). "US strikes 2 facilities linked to Iranian-backed militias in Syria following series of attacks on US forces in Middle East | CNN Politics". CNN. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  34. ↑ "DefSec Lloyd Austin Confirms Airstrikes Against IRGC Target in Syria". Atlas News. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  35. ↑ "Deir Ezzor | Nine persons working with Iranians killed in American raids on military headquarters and positions". SOHR. 9 November 2023. Archived from the original on 10 January 2024. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  36. ↑ "Attacks on Mayadin and Abu Kamal". X (formerly Twitter). Archived from the original on 13 November 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  37. ↑ "Death toll update | American airstrikes on Deir Ezzor leave eight members of Iranian militias dead". SOHR. 13 November 2023. Archived from the original on 10 January 2024. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  38. ↑ "IRAN UPDATE, NOVEMBER 21, 2023". Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  39. ↑ Seyler, Matt (21 November 2023). "US retaliates against Iran-backed militants after ballistic missile strike, officials say". ABC News. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  40. ↑ Ali, Idrees; Stewart, Phil; Azhari, Timour (22 November 2023). "U.S. forces carry out series of strikes against Iran-backed militia in Iraq". Reuters. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  41. ↑ "US says strike kills pro-Iran militia commander at its HQ in Baghdad". The Times of Israel. 4 January 2024. Archived from the original on 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  42. ↑ "Iraq blames US-led coalition for deadly drone strike in Baghdad". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  43. ↑ https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iraq-prepares-close-down-us-led-coalitions-mission-pm-statement-2024-01-05/
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