Attacks on US troops in the Middle East continue

After six months of calm, militias allied with Iran are again attacking US troops in Iraq and Syria.

After the outbreak of the Gaza war, these militias drastically increased their attacks, resulting in the death of three US soldiers by a Kataib Hezbollah drone in Tower 22 in Jordan near the Syrian border on January 28. In response, the Biden administration launched attacks against the militias. Killing of a high-ranking Kataib Hezbollah commander on February 7, but avoided commanders of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This led to a temporary lull in the violence, but recently attacks have resumed.

Last Thursday and Friday, Rockets were fired by militias allied with Iran at bases hosting US troops in Iraq and Syria, including the Ain al-Assad base in Iraq and a coalition base in Syria. On July 16, Two drones also attacked the al-Assad basewhich is the first reported attack since February. No injuries were reported and the attacks received little media attention.

Since the US and Iraq negotiate a withdrawal of US troops, This would leave only technical advisers, but the militias could try to speed up the implementation of this decision or show strength. These militias, allied with Iran, are also part of the so-called Axis of Resistance, which includes the Lebanese Hezbollah. Any outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is likely to lead to increased activity by the Iraqi militias, especially against US troops and Israeli targets such as the port of Eilat.

The bottom line is that one should not assume that these attacks will not be lethal. These militias operate outside the control of the Iraqi government and consider attacking US troops as part of their Right to exist. As long as U.S. troops are on the ground, attacks are likely to continue, and shows of force to “restore deterrence” will delay – but not stop – future attacks.