Several American and coalition troops were injured in a drone strike in Syria on Friday, a US official told Reuters, the second major attack against US forces in recent days amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
The US military initially estimated there were no casualties in the drone strike, but a more thorough review found some personnel had suffered minor injuries from smoke inhalation, and some were evacuated to another location.
None of the injuries were serious but some personnel were being examined for brain injuries, the official said on Saturday, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The officer said several soldiers have been shifted to another location for further evaluation.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but similar attacks have been carried out in the past by Iran-backed groups, the official said.
These people were injured in the drone attack, before on Monday a rocket attack was carried out by suspected Iran-backed militia on Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq, in which five American personnel were injured.
News of the latest incidents comes at a time when the Middle East region is preparing for possible new attacks by Iran and its allies.
Ismail Haniyeh, political leader of the Iran-backed HamasThe attack, which killed him on July 31 in the Iranian capital Tehran, prompted Iran to threaten revenge against Israel, which is fighting the Palestinian Islamist group in Gaza. Iran blamed Israel for the killing. Israel has not claimed responsibility.
Assassination and execution of senior military commander of Iran-backed Lebanese group HezbollahFuad Shukr, Israel’s attack on Beirut has raised concerns Conflict in Gaza This was turning into a wider Middle East war.
Iran has said that America is responsible for the killing of Haniya because of its support to Israel.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said the US will not tolerate attacks on its personnel but Washington is also trying to ease tensions in the region.
Friday’s attack took place in the Rumalin landing zone, where US troops are present along with the US-led coalition.
The US has 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 in neighbouring Iraq, on a mission said to be advising and assisting local forces to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State, which seized large parts of both countries in 2014 but was later pushed back.
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