As 2023 was drawing to a close and a few hours from welcoming 2024, there were reports of two US bases located in Al Hasakah, Syria coming under fire. This attack was reported by an anonymous source through the Russia-based news outlet, Sputnik.
According to the insider, one of the assaults saw multiple rockets landing dangerously close to civilian residences within the Al Jabsa oil field. Contrary to its geographic name, the oil field doesn’t reside within the city of Ash Shadadi. At present, the US military has established control over this oil field.
The second military establishment targeted resides at the Kharab al-Jir Airport in Al-Hasakah. The source reported that a single drone was used in this attack. As of now, there are no reports of injuries or fatalities from either of these bases. Neither are there any details available regarding the extent of the damage sustained within or around the bases.
The number of attacks increased
Recently, there has been a significant surge in attacks targeting the bases of the US-led international coalition in Iraq and US troops in Syria. This escalation corresponds with the intensified Palestinian-Israeli conflict that ignited on October 7.
These attacks are widely believed to be orchestrated by Shiite armed groups active within Iraq. Despite this, Washington maintains the stance that these acts of aggression have been executed by groups aligned with Iran.
In October
In October of 2023, a series of assaults on military bases in Syria were noted. Among these incidents, two drones aimed at U.S. forces were intercepted and neutralized on October 18th, resulting in minimal injuries. Promptly responding to this threat, Washington heightened the alert for any activities by Iran-backed factions, amid the escalating tension in the region due to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Sources, who chose to remain anonymous, confirmed the attack on U.S. forces at the Al-Tanf base, located near the Syrian borders with Iraq and Jordan, took place on October 18, a Wednesday. Yet, the responsible party behind this strike remains unconfirmed by authorities.
Furthermore, on October 19, Lebanon’s Iran-affiliated Al Mayadeen TV reported more attacks on U.S. bases in Syria. Al Mayadeen reported a drone strike at the Al-Tanf base and a missile assault on the Conoco base in Deir al-Zor, a northern province of Syria. However, no additional details were provided.
The civil war in Syria
The conflict in Syria, a struggle now lasting more than a decade, is far from over. This has been despite the relentless efforts of groups such as the Syrian Democratic Forces to oust President Bashar al-Assad.
The United States is one of the key countries backing these forces with support and weaponry. On the other hand, Russia primarily aids the Syrian army; interestingly enough, it’s the only country personally invited to assist Syria by President Assad. In a crucial step in 2017, the U.S. conducted a major missile strike against Assad’s forces. This was in response to alleged chemical attacks by the Syrian president on his own people – allegations that both Syria and Russia categorically reject.
Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. notably pulled its military back from Syria, leaving a small force behind only to protect the country’s oil reserves. The justification given was to keep these resources out of the Islamic State’s reach. Following the U.S. pullback, Turkey made its move, citing a need to address Kurdish and PKK presence in Syria near the Turkish border.
***
Follow us everywhere and at any time. BulgarianMilitary.com has responsive design and you can open the page from any computer, mobile devices or web browsers. For more up-to-date news, follow our Google News, YouTube, Reddit, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook pages. Our standards: Manifesto & ethical principles.
