UAVs open fire, attacking US military base in Syria.

UAV khai hỏa, tấn công căn cứ quân sự Mỹ ở Syria - 1 — US forces in northern Syria in 2018 (Photo: AP).

Sputnik reported on December 31, citing local sources, that two US bases in Al-Hasakah province in northeastern Syria were attacked with rockets and drones.

"Several rockets landed near residential buildings at the Al-Jabsa oil field in Ash Shaddadi (town), which the US military occupies as its base ," the source confirmed.

The source added that the US base at Kharab al-Jir airport in Al-Hasakah was attacked by drones.

The number of attacks on bases of the US-led international coalition in Iraq, as well as US troops in Syria, has increased significantly in recent months since the Israeli-Hamas conflict escalated on October 7, 2023.

According to U.S. military officials, as of November 23, 2023, there had been 36 attacks targeting U.S. forces in Iraq and 37 in Syria.

Shia armed groups operating in Iraq have claimed responsibility for the attacks. Meanwhile, Washington believes the attacks were carried out by Iranian-backed groups.

The U.S. has also carried out airstrikes targeting Iranian-backed militias in Syria and Iraq in retaliation for a series of attacks on U.S. troops in the two Middle Eastern countries.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that these attacks were carried out with the support of Iran, and warned that the Pentagon would take retaliatory measures if these attacks continued.

The White House accused Iran of "actively facilitating" Tehran-backed groups in carrying out missile and drone attacks on U.S. military bases in Iraq and Syria.

Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani warned that the United States could face a "serious attack" if Washington does not intervene to end the war between Israel and Hamas.

Following the outbreak of conflict in Gaza, the US deployed a range of assets and troops to the Middle East, including submarines carrying cruise missiles and two carrier strike groups.

Israel launched a "total encirclement" of the Gaza Strip following a surprise Hamas attack on the south of the country on October 7th. The fighting, which has lasted over two months, has killed thousands of people in Gaza and Israel.

The US has declared its unwavering support for Israel and its readiness to provide military aid to help Israel retaliate against Hamas. However, Washington also emphasized that Tel Aviv must adhere to the "laws of war" and avoid civilian casualties.

The U.S. currently maintains 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 in neighboring Iraq. Washington says it is carrying out a mission to advise and support local forces in order to prevent the resurgence of the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS).

Security analysts say there are growing concerns that the Israel-Hamas conflict could spread throughout the Middle East and turn U.S. troops at bases into targets of attack.

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