No attacks on US troops in Iraq, Syria since Hamas-Israel truce began
US soldiers wearing protective masks are seen during a handover ceremony of Taji military base from US-led coalition troops to Iraqi security forces on Aug. 23, 2020. Photo: Reuters
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Pentagon announced on Tuesday that the attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria have stopped since the truce between Hamas and Israel became effective.
The Pentagon Press Secretary, Brigadier General Pat Ryder, said in a press briefing that there have been no attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria since November 23rd, since the operational pause began in Israel.
“Again, our forces are there for one reason, and that’s to stay focused on the Defeat ISIS mission. We will continue to focus on that mission, as well as ensuring that our forces are protected,” Ryder explained.
“Should there be any additional attacks, we would certainly hope that that’s not the case, but we will be prepared to respond accordingly if there are any additional attacks on our forces,” the Pentagon official added.
The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) announced on Sunday that the death toll from the US bombing of Jurf Al-Nasr had risen to nine.
The PMF mentioned in a statement that one man passed away on Sunday after suffering critical injuries from the reckless US bombardment on Jurf Al-Nasr last week, bringing the death toll to nine, the Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported.
The statement illustrated that three people injured in the bombardment are still receiving treatment.
Eight people were killed in the early hours of Wednesday after PMF sites in Babylon governorate southwest of Baghdad were targeted by air strikes carried out by US forces.
US Central Command forces carried out separate and precise strikes on two facilities in Iraq, according to a statement released by the US Army.
The US Army added that the strikes were a direct response to attacks on American and coalition forces by Iran and groups supported by Tehran.
The Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary, Sabrina Singh, said in a press briefing last week that US forces in Syria and Iraq have been targeted in 55 attacks since October 17.
“There have been 27 attacks against US forces in Iraq and 28 attacks in Syria,” Singh explained.
Singh illustrated that 59 US personnel have received injuries since these attacks began.
The increase in attacks on US forces is linked to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, which began after the Palestinian movement carried out a surprise cross-border attack from Gaza on October 7, which, according to the Israeli authorities, killed about 1,400 people.
Following the attack, the United States rushed to provide military support to Israel, which has since launched a relentless air, land, and sea assault on the Gaza Strip.