US Forces Intercept Missiles and Drones Amid Escalating Tensions in the Middle East

39

As the Middle East grapples with surging geopolitical strains, the U.S. military in the region finds itself increasingly on alert. This was evidenced when a U.S. Navy ship neutralized missiles suspected to be en route to Israel on Thursday, alongside repeated drone strikes aimed at American bases in both Iraq and Syria.

The USS Carney, a U.S. Navy destroyer situated in the northern Red Sea, thwarted an attack by intercepting three land-attack cruise missiles and multiple drones, launched by Yemen’s Houthi forces. This intervention could mark the U.S. military’s inaugural defensive action on behalf of Israel in the current hostilities.

Brigadier General Pat Ryder, the Pentagon’s press secretary, informed the media that while the missiles were conceivably aimed at Israel, a conclusive analysis is still pending.

An anonymous U.S. official disclosed that the intercepted missiles, which were destroyed over open waters, were not intended for the U.S. naval vessel. The details of this military operation have not yet been officially announced.

However, American bases have been the target of numerous drone assaults over the last 72 hours, including a Thursday attack in southern Syria that resulted in minor injuries.

This flare-up of hostilities follows a catastrophic explosion at a hospital in Gaza, which led to the death of hundreds and ignited protests in multiple Muslim countries. Despite a robust military campaign in Gaza as a reprisal for Hamas actions in southern Israel, both the Israeli government and U.S. intelligence have absolved Israel of responsibility for the hospital explosion.

Recently, various militant groups across the region—from Hezbollah to the Houthis—have voiced their support for the Palestinians and issued threats against Israel. Since Tuesday, there have been at least four drone attacks against U.S. military bases in Iraq and Syria, which serve as training grounds for local defense units and are involved in the fight against the Islamic State group.

These incidents are heightening concerns among U.S. and Western officials that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict may broaden into a more extensive regional conflagration. “This is precisely what we are endeavoring to avert,” said Ryder.

On Thursday, the most recent drone strike occurred at the al-Asad Air Base in western Iraq. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq took responsibility for the attack, asserting that their rocket salvo had accurately hit the intended targets. A U.S. official acknowledged the attack but noted that an assessment was still underway.

Similarly, southeastern Syria’s al-Tanf garrison was subjected to a drone assault. U.S. forces have been stationed at this base for several years to train Syrian allies and keep tabs on Islamic State activities. The Pentagon confirmed that one drone was intercepted, while another struck the base, causing minor injuries.

This key garrison lies on a crucial route often utilized by Iranian-backed militants to transport armaments to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, effectively on Israel’s border.

In related news, Syrian opposition activists reported a distinct drone attack on an oil facility in eastern Syria housing U.S. troops. Three explosive-laden drones targeted the Conoco gas field in the eastern province of Deir el-Zour, adjacent to Iraq, confirmed by the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Earlier this week, militants deployed three drones against two Iraqi bases utilized by the U.S. for training and operations against the Islamic State. During these episodes, a false alarm at al-Asad led personnel to seek shelter, resulting in a contractor’s death due to cardiac arrest, according to Ryder.

Though the Pentagon has yet to ascertain the origin of these drone attacks, Ryder affirmed that the U.S. “will undertake all requisite measures to safeguard U.S. and coalition forces from any form of threat.” He stated that any retaliatory military actions would occur “at a time and manner of our choosing.”

On the USS Carney’s intervention, Ryder elaborated that the missiles were intercepted due to their “potentially hazardous flight trajectory.” He stated that no American forces or civilians were harmed during this event and emphasized that the U.S. stands prepared to defend its allies and interests in the region.

Recent actions from Iranian-supported Houthi rebels have included threats against Israel and vocal support for Palestinians. Crowds in Yemen’s Houthi-controlled Sanaa displayed both Yemeni and Palestinian flags last week, reiterating the rebel group’s longstanding mantra, which includes calls for the defeat of both the U.S. and Israel.

Abdel-Malek al-Houthi, the rebel group’s leader, cautioned the United States against intervening in the ongoing Israel-Hamas clash, stating that such interference would be met with drone and missile attacks.

When contacted for comments on Thursday, two Houthi officials refrained from discussing the matter. One cited a lack of awareness about the incident, while the other mentioned not having the authorization to comment.

Contributions to this report were made by Jack Jeffery from Cairo for Big Big News.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Escalating Tensions in the Middle East

More about Escalating Tensions in the Middle East

• U.S. Department of Defense Official Statement on Recent Middle East Events
• Analysis: Rising Tensions in the Middle East and Implications for U.S. Policy
• Houthi Missile and Drone Capabilities: A Brief Overview
• Israel-Hamas Conflict: A Timeline
• Report on Drone Attacks Against U.S. Military Bases in Iraq and Syria
• Overview of U.S. Military Presence in the Middle East
• Syrian Opposition Activists Confirm Drone Attacks
• Hezbollah’s Stance on Israel-Palestine Conflict
• Iran’s Influence in the Middle East: An In-depth Report
• Pentagon’s Assessment of Threats in the Middle East