Pro-Iranian militias in Iraq and Syria launched sporadic drone and rocket attacks on U.S. forces based in Iraq and Syria on Oct. 17, 2023—10 days after war erupted between Hamas and Israel. The Islamic Resistance of Iraq, an umbrella group for Iranian-backed factions, targeted U.S. forces who had been deployed at Al Asad and Al Harir air bases as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led multinational campaign to support the Iraqi government against ISIS. In eastern Syria, pro-Iran militias separately targeted Americans based at Al Tanf, Conoco and the Green Village, also as part of the U.S.-led campaign against ISIS.
The increase in attacks correlated with Israel’s offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. On October 27, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin claimed that the operations by Iranian-backed militias were “mostly unsuccessful,” but he warned that they were “unacceptable and must stop.” The United States did “not seek conflict and has no intention nor desire to engage in further hostilities,” he added.
Between October 26 and December 3, U.S. forces countered with seven airstrikes on facilities used by the pro-Iranian militias, including weapon storage facilities in command positions and training locations in Kirkuk in Iraq and Deir Ezzor in Syria. The United States was “not going to allow any threat to our interests in the region to go unchallenged,” John Kirby, the National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, said on October 23. “We will use the military capabilities available to us to protect and defend those interests. And those capabilities are getting bigger and better every day.” President Biden repeatedly warned regional players hoping to escalate or widen the latest Middle East War, “Don’t do it.”
From Yemen, the Iranian-backed Houthis added other dimensions to regional tensions by trying to hit Israel. On Oct. 14, 2023, they launched three land-attack cruise missiles across the Red Sea towards Israel. The USS Carney, deployed in the Red Sea, intercepted all three. Subsequent attacks targeted Eilat in southern Israel on November 14 and commercial cargo ships in the Red Sea on November 20 and December 3.
The one break in attacks on U.S. forces coincided with an eight-day “pause” – from Nov. 24 to Dec. 1, 2023—to facilitate the release of Israeli hostages by Hamas and the delivery of international humanitarian supplies to Gaza. When the pause ended, the pro-Iranian militias resumed attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria.
A senior Pentagon official said that Iran’s strategic objective, long before the war between Hamas and Israel, had been to force the United States to withdraw from the Middle East. “Yes, there is a direct tie between the militia groups and all the front organizations that claim responsibility for attacks against U.S. personnel,” the official said. “But the core point here is that Iranian fingerprints are all over this. Iran would seek to hide behind some deniable plausibility, and we are holding them accountable.” The United States would “continue to respond” when President Biden decided it was necessary for U.S. force protection.”
The Pentagon said the U.S. responses centered around four goals, including:
- Protection of U.S. forces and citizens in the region
- Security assistance to Israel for its war against Hamas
- Release of hostages held by Hamas, including U.S. citizens
- And strengthening the U.S. force posture in the Middle East, with the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike groups, to deter other states or nonstate actors from escalating the crisis beyond Gaza.
The following are rundowns and timelines on the attacks by pro-Iranian militias on American forces and the U.S. responses, plus comments by senior U.S. officials on the evolving tensions.
Pro-Iran militia attacks on U.S. Forces in Iraq and Syria
Oct. 17 to Dec 3, 2023
Al Asad Airbase, Iraq
24 total attacks: Oct. 18, Oct. 19, Oct. 21, Oct. 22, Oct. 24, Oct. 26, Oct. 30, Oct. 31, Nov. 9, Nov. 12, Nov. 13, Nov. 15, Nov. 17, Nov. 20, Nov. 21, Nov. 22, Nov. 23, Dec. 3, Dec. 6, Dec. 8, Dec. 11
- 13 drone attacks
- 10 rocket attacks
Al Harir Airbase, Iraq
Seven total attacks: Oct. 18, Oct. 22, Nov. 3, Nov. 6, Nov. 9, Nov. 22, Dec. 6
- Six drone attacks
- One rocket attack
Erbil Airport in Iraq
One attack: Nov. 23
- One drone attack
U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq
One attack: Dec. 8
- One mortar attack
Al Tanf Garrison, Syria
Seven total attacks: Oct. 19, Oct. 23, Oct. 28, Nov. 1, Nov. 6, Nov. 10, Nov. 18
- Seven drone attacks
Conoco Oil Field/Mission Support Site Euphrates in Deir Ezzor, Syria
Eight total attacks: Oct. 19, Nov. 7, Nov. 12, Nov. 14, Nov. 18, Nov. 23, Dec. 8
- Three drone attacks
- Four rocket attacks
Al Shaddadi Base, al Hasakah Governorate, Syria
Six total attacks: Oct. 26, Oct. 28, Nov. 2, Nov. 4, Nov. 21, Dec. 11
- Five drone attacks
- One rocket attack
Al Omar Oil Field/Mission Support Site Green Village, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Nine total attacks: Oct. 23, Oct. 27, Oct. 28, Oct. 29, Oct. 30, Oct. 31, Nov. 6, Nov. 14, Dec. 11
- Seven rocket attacks
- One drone attack
- One unspecified attack
Kharab al Jir Base (Rumalyn Landing Zone), al Hasakah Governorate, Syria
Six total attacks: Oct. 25, Nov. 3, Nov. 5, Nov. 11, Nov. 13, Dec. 3
- Four rocket attacks
- Two drone attacks
Al Malikiyah Base, al Hasakah Governorate, Syria
One total attack: Oct. 23
- One drone attack
Tal Baydar Base, al Hasakah Governorate, Syria
Three total attacks: Nov. 5, Nov. 6, Nov. 17
- Three drone attacks
Houthi attacks on U.S. and Israel from Yemen
Oct. 19 to Dec. 3, 2023
Houthi rebels, who were already engaged in their own civil war in Yemen, also launched extraterritorial challenges to U.S. naval forces and commercial ships in the Red Sea.
Oct. 19: Houthis fired three land attack cruise missiles and several drones that reportedly targeted Israel. The USS Carney intercepted eight drones in the northern Red Sea.
Nov. 14: The Houthis claimed to have fired a surface-to-surface missile toward Eilat, a southern Israeli city on the Red Sea coast. Israel intercepted the missile.
Nov. 20: Houthi rebels seized the Galaxy Leader, a British-owned, Japanese-operated cargo ship, in the Red Sea near Yemen and took 25 crew members hostage. They claimed that the vessel was linked to Israel and that the attack “proves the seriousness of the armed [Houthi] forces in waging the battle.” They vowed to keep targeting Israel-linked vessels until the Israeli ended its offensive on Gaza.
Dec. 3: Houthis fired at least four ballistic missiles at three commercial ships in the Red Sea, including the Unity Explorer, a British -owned and -operated container ship; the Number 9, a British-owned and -operated carrier; and the Sophie II, a Japanese-owned and -operated carrier. The USS Carney responded to distress calls and shot down three drones. The Pentagon reported that the Houthi targets were unclear. The attacks inflicted minor damage on all three vessels.
U.S. Airstrikes in Iraq and Syria
Oct. 26 to Dec. 3, 2023
Oct. 26: U.S. F-16 fighter jets conducted self-defense strikes on weapons storage facilities used by local militias linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in Abu Kamal, Syria. The Pentagon did not identify the militia group.
Oct. 27: Two U.S. F-16 fighter jets and one F-15E carried out airstrikes on arms storage facilities linked to Iranian-backed militias in Al Mayadin in eastern Syria. The Pentagon did not identify the militia.
Nov. 8: Two U.S. F-15 fighter jets hit a weapons storage facility used by Iranian-backed militias and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard in Maysulun, Syria. The Pentagon did not specify which militia. The strike triggered secondary explosions.
Nov. 12: An F-15 fighter jet struck facilities used by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and Iran-backed militias for training and as a command headquarters near Abu Kamal and Mayadin in Syria. Seven militants were reportedly killed. “The President has no higher priority than the safety of U.S. personnel, and he directed today's action to make clear that the United States will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests,” said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The Pentagon did not specify the militia group.
Nov. 21: An AC-130 gunship hit an operations center and command-and-control node used by Kataib Hezbollah near al Anbar and Jurf al Saqr in Iraq. It killed eight militants. The strike responded to a ballistic missile attack by the Islamic Resistance of Iraq on al Asad air base that injured U.S. and allied forces deployed in Iraq as part of Operation Inherent Resolve against ISIS.
Nov. 22: U.S. fighter jets struck two sites, an operation center and command-and-control node both used by Kataib Hezbollah, near the border of al Anbar province and the town of Jurf al Sakhar, Babil province.
Dec. 3: U.S. forces used an armed drone to take out five militants in Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces preparing a drone attack in Kirkuk, Iraq.
Iran-backed militia Attacks on U.S. forces
Oct. 18 to Dec. 3
Oct. 18: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group for Shiite militias backed by Iran, fired two drones on U.S. forces at Al Asad airbase in Iraq’s western Anbar province. Both were intercepted by U.S. forces. The Pentagon reported minor injuries to four troops. Some 2,500 Americans were based in Iraq as part of the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS. Al Asad was the largest Iraqi base used by U.S. forces.
Oct. 18: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for a drone strike on U.S. forces at Al Harir airbase Iraq’s northern Kurdistan region. The drone crashed near the village of Batas.
Oct. 19: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq fired three drones at U.S. forces at the Al Tanf military base on the Baghdad-to-Damascus highway in eastern Syria. The first drone was shot down, but the second drone caused minor injuries to 20 troops.
Oct. 19: Al Nujaba Movement, an Iranian-backed militia, fired two rockets and three drones at U.S. forces based at the Conoco oil field in northeast Syria.
Oct. 19: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for a drone and rocket attack on Al Asad air base that hosted U.S. and international forces aiding the Iraqi military against ISIS. One U.S. citizen contractor died due to heart failure.
Oct. 19: An unidentified militia fired a rocket at the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center, used by U.S. forces and Operation Inherent Resolve coalition forces, at Baghdad International Airport.
Oct. 19: Houthi forces in Yemen launched three rockets and drones in the direction of Israel that were intercepted by the USS Carney in the northern Red Sea.
Oct. 21: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq fired a drone at Al Asad airbase.
Oct. 22: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq launched a drone at Al Harir airbase in Iraq.
Oct. 22: An unidentified group fired Katyusha rockets at Al Asad airbase.
Oct. 23: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq fired a drone at Al Tanf military base.
Oct. 23: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq fired a drone at Al Omar oil field in Deir Ezzor, Syria.
Oct. 23: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq fired a drone at Al Malikiyah base in Syria rocket.
Oct. 24: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq launched rockets at Al Asad airbase.
Oct. 25: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq fired rockets at the Kharab al Jir base, in northeast Syria.
Oct. 26: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacked Al Asad airbase with an unspecified drones.
Oct. 26: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq targeted Al Shaddadi Base, in northeast Syria, with a rocket.
Oct. 27: An unconfirmed militia hit Al Omar base with six rockets.
Oct. 28: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq targeted Al Shaddadi Base with a drone.
Oct. 28: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacked Al Tanf base with two drones.
Oct. 28: An unconfirmed militia hit Al Omar oil field with six rockets.
Oct. 29: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq launched a drone attack on Al Shaddadi Base .
Oct. 30: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, fired 15 rockets at Al Omar base.
Oct. 30: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq hit Al Asad airbase with four rockets.
Oct. 31: Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq attacked Al Asad airbase with two drones.
Oct. 31: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq launched an unspecified number rockets on Al Omar oil field.
Oct. 31: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq fired an unspecified number rockets on Al Omar oil field.
Nov. 1: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacked Al Tanf military base with two drones.
Nov. 2: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq struck Al Shaddadi Base with an unspecified number of drones.
Nov. 3: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq targeted Al Harir airbase with two drones.
Nov. 3: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacked Kharab al Jir base with four rockets.
Nov. 4: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq targeted Al Shaddadi Base with two drones.
Nov. 5: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq launched a drone attack on Tal Baydar base in Syria.
Nov. 5: Al Dhaferin Group, part of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, fired four mortar shells at Al Asad airbase.
Nov. 5: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq targeted Al Tanf garrison with an unspecified number of drones.
Nov. 5: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq launched an unspecified number of drones at Tal Baydar base.
Nov. 6: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacked Al Asad airbase with two drones and a rocket.
Nov. 7: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq launched a drone attack at Al Harir base.
Nov. 7: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq targeted with a drone Al Harir airbase with two drones.
Nov. 7: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacked Al Omar oil field with an unspecified number of rockets.
Nov. 8: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq launched an unspecified number of rockets on Al Shaddadi Base .
Nov. 9: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq targeted Al Harir airbase with two drones.
Nov. 9: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq hit the Conoco oil field base with an unspecified number of drones and rockets.
Nov. 9: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacked Al Asad airbase with an unspecified number of drones.
Nov. 9: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq launched a drone attack on Al Harir airbase.
Nov. 10: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq targeted Al Tanf garrison with one drone.
Nov. 11: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq struck Kharab al Jir base with an unspecified number of rockets.
Nov. 12: The Dhafireen group fired Al Asad airbase in Iraq with an unspecified number of mortars.
Nov. 12: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq hit Conoco oil field base with a drone attack.
Nov. 12: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq targeted Al Shaddadi Base with an unspecified number of rockets.
Nov. 13: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq launched two drone attacks on Kharab al Jir base .
Nov. 13: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq fired an unspecified number of mortars at Al Asad airbase.
Nov. 14: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq targeted Conoco oil field base with a drone attack.
Nov. 14: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq hit Al Omar oil field with a drone attack.
Nov. 15: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq struck Al Asad airbase in Iraq with an unspecified number of rockets.
Nov. 17: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq targeted Al Asad airbase in Iraq with two drones.
Nov. 17: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq hit Al Harir airbase in Iraq with a drone attack.
Nov. 17: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacked Tal Baydar base with a drone. One U.S. soldier was injured.
Nov. 18: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq launched an unspecified number of rockets on Conoco oil field base.
Nov. 18: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq hit Al Omar oil field a with an unspecified number of drones.
Nov. 18: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq targeted Al Tanf garrison with an unspecified number of drones.
Nov. 19: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacked Al Harir airbase with a drone.
Nov. 20: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq struck Al Asad airbase with an unspecified number of rockets. Pentagon officials stated that close range ballistic missiles were used in the attack.
Nov. 21: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq launched an unspecified number of rockets on Al Asad airbase.
Nov. 21: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq hit Al Shaddadi Base with an unspecified number of drones or rockets.
Nov. 22: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq targeted Al Asad airbase with an unspecified number of rockets.
Nov. 22: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacked Al Harir airbase with a drone.
Nov. 23: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq struck Conoco oil field base with an unspecified number of rockets.
Nov. 23: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq hit Al Asad airbase with an unspecified number of drones.
Nov. 23: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq targeted Erbil Airport with an unspecified number of drones.
Dec. 3: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacked Al Asad airbase with a drone.
Dec. 3: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq fired seven rockets at Kharab al Jir base.
Dec. 6: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq hit Al Asad airbase with a drone.
Dec. 6: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq targeted Al Asad airbase with a drone.
Dec. 6: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacked Al Harir airbase with a drone.
Dec. 8: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq launched a rocket attack on Conoco oil field base.
Dec. 8: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq fired a rocket at Al Asad airbase.
Dec. 8: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq targeted Al Asad airbase with a drone attack.
Dec. 8: Kataib Sayyid al Shuhada launched several mortar shells against the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraq.
Dec. 11: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq hit Al Shaddadi Base with an unspecified number of rockets.
Dec. 11: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacked Al Asad airbase with a drone.
Dec. 11: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq targeted Al Asad airbase with a drone attack.
Dec: 11: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq hit Al Omar oil field a with an unspecified number of drones.
Comments by U.S Officials
Oct. 23: John Kirby, NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications, in a statement: “We also are not going to allow any threat to our interests in the region to go unchallenged. We will use the military capabilities available to us to protect and defend those interests. And those capabilities are getting bigger and better every day. As President Biden has said, our message to any hostile actor seeking to escalate or widen this conflict is very simple: Don’t do it.”
Oct. 27: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in a statement: “These precision self-defense strikes are a response to a series of ongoing and mostly unsuccessful attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militia groups...“[The United States] does not seek conflict and has no intention nor desire to engage in further hostilities. These Iranian-backed attacks against U.S. forces are unacceptable and must stop.”
Nov. 5: Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in a press briefing in Baghdad, Iraq: “Well, first with regard to Iraq, Prime Minister Sudani has spoken out clearly. In fact, he made an important statement about a week ago, October 23rd, condemning these attacks and making clear the imperative that they stop. And in addition, he is working with his own security forces and others to take the necessary action to deal with these attacks and to seek to prevent them…But this is a matter of Iraqi sovereignty. No country wants to have militia groups engaged in violent activity that’s clearly against the interests of Iraq and its own sovereignty as well as against our interests. So I think we have a shared purpose and commitment in trying to make sure that these attacks don’t happen.”
Nov. 8: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in a statement: “This precision, self-defense strike is a response to a series of attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria by IRGC-Quds force affiliates. The United States is fully prepared to take further necessary measures to protect our people and our facilities. We urge against any escalation. U.S. personnel will continue to conduct counter-ISIS missions in Iraq and Syria. While our defensive measures have proven effective in countering unmanned aerial vehicle attacks on our personnel, we remain vigilant and concerned about the potential for escalation or bypassing these defenses. We have fortified our U.S. bases with additional Patriot batteries and increased defensive counter air patrols to further deter attacks and defend our forces. In light of heightened tension stemming from the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, we have undertaken additional measures to communicate directly with Iran, Iran-aligned groups in Iraq, Lebanon and our regional partners. We aim to clarify that our military actions do not signal a change in our approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict, and we have no intentions of escalating conflict in the region. Our commitment to self-defense and the protection of U.S. personnel remains the same.”
Nov. 12: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin: “U.S. military forces conducted precision strikes today on facilities in eastern Syria used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran-affiliated groups in response to continued attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria. The strikes were conducted against a training facility and a safe house near the cities of Abu Kamal and Mayadin, respectively. The President has no higher priority than the safety of U.S. personnel, and he directed today's action to make clear that the United States will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests.”
Nov 21: Brig. Gen. Brig. Pat Ryder, in a statement: “We can confirm an attack last night by Iran-backed militias using a close-range ballistic missile against US and coalition forces at Al-Asad Airbase, which resulted in eight injuries and some minor damage to infrastructure. Immediately following the attack, a US military AC-130 aircraft in the area conducted a self-defense strike against an Iranian-backed militia vehicle and a number of Iranian-backed militia personnel involved in this attack. This self-defense strike resulted in several enemy KIA (killed in action).”
Nov. 21: Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh in a press briefing after a U.S. AC-130 Ghostrider responded to an Iran-backed militia’s missile attack on U.S. on Al Asad Airbase in Iraq. “Immediately following the attack, a U.S. military AC-130 aircraft in the area conducted a self-defense strike against an Iranian-backed militia vehicle and a number of Iranian-backed militia personnel involved in this attack. This self-defense strike resulted in some hostile fatalities. We were able to identify the point of origin of these attacks because an AC-130 was up already in the area and therefore was able to respond. They were able to take action because they saw the militants. They were able to keep an eye on the movement of these militants as they moved into their vehicles and that's why they were able to respond…These groups have targeted our forces [in] both Iraq and Syria. We feel right now that we've taken appropriate action to decimate some of their facilities and some of their weapons ... We always reserve the right to respond at a time and place of our choosing.”
Nov. 27: Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, in a press briefing: “Those attacks are dangerous, I don't want to minimize it, but have largely been ineffective. When we strike, it's extremely effective, and every single time we strike, it diminishes IRGC capability in Iraq and Syria. And so going forward, should we need to conduct additional strikes, we will continue to diminish IRGC capability in Iraq and Syria to protect our forces and our important mission, which again is the defeat ISIS mission.”
Dec. 4: National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan at a press briefing: “Beyond what's happening immediately in Israel and Gaza, of course, there are developments in the region more broadly. This past weekend saw four attacks against three separate commercial vessels operating in international waters in the Southern Red Sea -- three vessels that are connected to 14 different nations, which goes to show you the extent to which this is truly a source of global concern and a threat to international peace and stability…The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Carney responded to the distress calls from these ships and provided assistance. In doing so, it detected three UAVs (drones) at three different times heading in its direction, and it took action against all three of those UAVs. As CENTCOM reported this weekend, we cannot assess at this time whether the Carney was a target, but the Carney took prudent action in taking down those three UAVs. And we will continue as we go forward to consult very closely with allies and partners to determine and take all appropriate responses. We have every reason to believe that these attacks, while they were launched by the Houthis in Yemen, were fully enabled by Iran…
“The position of the United States, consistent with the position of the U.N. Security Council and consistent with the position of maritime nations across the world, is that attacks on commercial shipping in international waters are totally unacceptable and have to stop. And what we are doing now is engaging in intensive consultations with partners and allies to determine the appropriate next steps. The last point I should make is just to underscore so- -- something I said in my opening statement. We are talking about the Houthis here. They're the ones with their finger on the trigger. But that gun -- the weapons here are being supplied by Iran. And Iran, we believe, is the ultimate party responsible for this
“We are in talks with other countries about maritime task force of sorts involving the ships from partner nations alongside the United States in ensuring safe passage of ships in the Red Sea. Those talks are ongoing as we speak. I don't have anything formal to announce. But that would be a natural part of the comprehensive response to what we are seeing here. These ships are -- were not U.S. commercial ships. They were from a variety of nations. This is an issue for the entire world, for every country that relies upon maritime commerce to sustain their economy. And, by the way, that is every country, and that's why you saw the statement come out of the U.N. Security Council at the end of last week.
“First, we have taken a number of steps -- including the movement of carriers, air wings, and others -- to keep this war that is being waged now between Israel and Hamas in Gaza from spilling out into a broader conflict -- a full-on regional conflagration, which many people in this room were warning about or concerned about when things happened when this all kicked off on October 7th.
“Now, that doesn't mean that we are not seeing very alarming behavior. And there are two forms of it in particular that we're focused on. One is attacks by Iranian-enabled and Iran-aligned Shia militia groups in Iraq and Syria attacking our forces. We are taking steps to protect our people and to strike back against them. In fact, just yesterday, CENTCOM announced a strike that took out five militants that were attempting to attack us with UAVs. And, second, we have made clear that the entire world needs to step up together -- not the U.S. alone, but all of us working together -- to deal with this -- this emerging challenge that the -- that the Houthis present, backed by Iran. We are going to take appropriate action in consultation with others, and we will do so at a time and place of our choosing. So, we will take the time to do the appropriate consultation, build a response that involves as much buy-in from as many countries as possible. And then we'll have more to report once we've done those consultations.
Dec. 4: Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh in a press briefing: “There were four attacks against three separate commercial vessels yesterday that were operating in international waters in the southern Red Sea. The USS Carney responded to distress calls from the ships and provided assistance. These attacks represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security. They have jeopardized the lives of international crews representing multiple countries around the world. And we also believe these attacks, while launched from -- while launched by the Houthis in Yemen, are fully enabled by Iran. The United States will continue all appropriate responses in full coordination with its international allies and partners.
“Also yesterday, on December 3, near Kirkuk, Iraq, forces assigned to combine joint task force Operation Inherent Resolve engaged five militants preparing to launch a one-way attack drone. Operation Inherent Resolve forces responded in self-defense with an armed U.S. uncrewed aerial system, killing all five militants and destroying the drone. Iraqi security forces were notified of the strike and responded to the location, where they confirmed the death of the militants and the destruction of the -- of the drone. The United States will continue to defend U.S. and coalition personnel from attacks.”
Dec. 8: Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder in a press release: “Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke today with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. The Secretary and Prime Minister discussed the obligation of the Government of Iraq to protect diplomatic personnel and Coalition advisors and facilities. The Secretary condemned the attack overnight on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad as well as the series of attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria over recent weeks. He welcomed the Prime Minister's statement this morning that rightly condemned the attack as "acts of terrorism" that "endanger Iraq's internal security." The Secretary underscored that the United States reserves the right to act in self-defense against those launching any attack against U.S. personnel. He affirmed that the Iranian-backed militant groups Katai'ib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba, both designated terrorist organizations, are responsible for most of the attacks against Coalition personnel, and that the United States reserves the right to respond decisively against those groups – to address threats and attacks against U.S. and Coalition personnel. Secretary Austin underscored that attacks by Iran-backed militias undermine the sovereignty and stability of Iraq, risk the safety of Iraqi civilians, and set back the campaign to defeat ISIS. They discussed the U.S.-Iraq Higher Military Commission, which was agreed by the two governments during the U.S.-Iraq Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue in August 2023 and is a consultative mechanism for the transition of the Coalition. However, the Secretary made clear that attacks against U.S. forces must stop.”
Dec. 8: State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller in a statement: “The United States strongly condemns last night’s rocket attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and today’s attacks against facilities hosting U.S. personnel. The many Iran-aligned militias that operate freely in Iraq threaten the security and stability of Iraq, our personnel, and our partners in the region. Prime Minister Sudani rightly called these attacks acts of “terrorism.” We urge the Iraqi Security Forces to immediately investigate and arrest the perpetrators of these attacks and bring them to justice. The Iraqi Government has repeatedly committed to protect diplomatic missions as well as U.S. military personnel, who are present in the country at Iraq’s invitation. This is non-negotiable, as is our right to self-defense.”
Katherine Wells, a research assistant at the Woodrow Wilson Center, contributed to this report.