Timeline of Iran-backed attacks on US troops in the Middle East since Oct 7
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Members of an Iraqi Shi'ite armed group following a drone strike on an Iran-backed militia headquarters in Baghdad, on Jan 4.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON - The unmanned aerial drone attack that killed three US service members
The groups oppose Israel’s campaign in Gaza, which has killed more than 26,000 people, and hold the United States partly responsible. They have attacked US troops in the region over 150 times since the war started in response to Hamas’ Oct 7 attack in Israel that killed about 1,200 people.
About 2,500 US troops are stationed in Iraq and 900 in Syria to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State militant group.
Here is a timeline of major attacks since then:
Oct 18: US forces in Iraq are targeted in two separate drone attacks. One of the drones is intercepted but still explodes, causing minor injuries and damaging some equipment.
Oct 19: US forces in Syria bring down two drones targeting them, leading to some minor injuries. Separately, drones and rockets target two bases housing US forces in Iraq.
Oct 26: An Iran-backed militia launches a drone at an air base that penetrates US air defences and crashes into barracks housing American troops but fails to detonate. A service member suffers a concussion from the impact.
Nov 17: US troops in Iraq and Syria are attacked three times – a drone attack in Syria injures a service member who quickly returns to duty, while two other attacks in Iraq fail to cause damage or injuries.
Nov 23: US and international forces in north-eastern Syria are attacked with drones and rockets four times in 24 hours, but suffer no casualties and only minor damage.
Dec 25: A one-way drone attack in Iraq by Iran-aligned militants leaves one American service member in critical condition and wounds two other US personnel.
Jan 9: A US air strike on a rocket launcher foils an attack on an air base in Iraq.
Jan 20: Four US personnel have traumatic brain injuries after Iran-backed militia groups fire multiple ballistic missiles and rockets at an air base in Iraq. REUTERS
