Drone Attack on U.S. Military Base in Syria Leaves Six Kurdish Soldiers Dead
Late Sunday evening, a devastating drone attack targeted a military base in eastern Syria, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least six Kurdish soldiers who were allied with the United States. The attack took place at the al-Omar base in Syria’s Deir el-Zour province, where the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are stationed. The SDF released a statement on Monday confirming that the strike hit a training ground where their commando units were undergoing training. Fortunately, no U.S. troops were harmed during the attack.
This drone attack marks a significant event as it is the first major assault in Syria or Iraq since the United States launched strikes against Iran-backed militias over the weekend. These militias have been relentlessly targeting U.S. forces and civilian targets in the region since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October.
Initially, the SDF attributed the attack to “Syrian regime-backed mercenaries,” but after conducting an investigation, they shifted the blame to “Iran-backed militias.” The Islamic Resistance, an umbrella group comprising all Iran-backed Iraqi militias in the country, claimed responsibility for the attack. They even released a video showcasing the launch of the drone used in the assault.
The timing of this attack is noteworthy as it follows recent U.S. military strikes against Houthi militant targets in Yemen. On Sunday, U.S. Central Command forces carried out a “self-defense” strike against a Houthi land attack cruise missile. Later that day, they struck four anti-ship cruise missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, deeming them an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the Red Sea.
Moreover, these strikes occurred just a day after the United States and Britain launched a series of attacks on 36 Houthi targets in Yemen. The objective of these assaults was to weaken the capabilities of Iran-backed groups that have been incessantly attacking American and international interests since the Israel-Hamas war.
In response to these strikes, Houthi rebels have vowed to escalate their own attacks, pledging to continue their operations regardless of the sacrifices it may entail. Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a spokesperson for the group, expressed their determination to persist until the crimes of genocide in Gaza cease and the siege on its residents is lifted. Al-Bukhaiti dismissed the effectiveness of such attacks and predicted that a wider war would ultimately lead to the end of U.S. hegemony in the region.
It is important to note that the Islamic Resistance was also responsible for a drone attack on Tower 22 of a logistics support base in Jordan back in January. This attack resulted in the deaths of three U.S. service members and left 40 others wounded. In addition to the strikes on Saturday, U.S. Central Command conducted another “self-defense” strike on Sunday against a Houthi anti-ship cruise missile.
The U.S. Department of Defense has identified the three fallen soldiers as Sgt. William Jerome Rivers of Carrollton, Georgia; Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders of Waycross, Georgia; and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett of Savannah, Georgia. They were members of the 718th Engineer Company, 926th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade based in Fort Moore, Georgia.
Following the attack, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed his outrage and deep sadness over the loss of three U.S. service members and the injuries sustained by other American troops. He emphasized that they were deployed near the Syrian border to combat ISIS and called for prayers for the fallen soldiers and their families.
The Islamic Resistance has been responsible for numerous attacks on U.S. military bases in Iraq and Syria, primarily utilizing drones. Their repeated demands for the withdrawal of American forces from the region have been met with continued military action.
As tensions escalate in the Middle East, it remains to be seen how the United States will respond to these attacks and whether they will be able to achieve lasting stability in the region. The loss of these brave soldiers serves as a somber reminder of the dangers faced by those who dedicate their lives to defending their country and its allies.