U.S. Service Members Injured in Drone Attack in Syria

A recent drone attack in Syria has resulted in minor injuries to several U.S. service members, according to a Pentagon statement released on Monday. The attack occurred on Friday at the Rumalyn Landing Zone, a site that accommodates U.S. and coalition forces involved in the global effort to combat ISIS. Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder confirmed that some personnel were treated for smoke inhalation, while others are undergoing evaluations for potential traumatic brain injuries. The Pentagon has not disclosed the exact number of injured personnel or those transported for further medical assessment. Initial evaluations indicate that the attack caused minor damage to one set of facilities at the landing zone. This incident marks the second attack on U.S. forces in the region within a week, following a rocket strike on al-Asad air base in Iraq that injured four service members and one contractor. While the Pentagon has not identified the attackers, previous assaults on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria have often been attributed to Iran-backed militia groups. The frequency of such attacks has surged since the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hamas on October 7, with over 180 incidents reported against U.S. forces in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan since then. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized the importance of troop safety, stating that he does not foresee a return to the heightened levels of violence experienced earlier this year. Currently, approximately 900 U.S. troops are stationed in Syria, with an additional 2,500 in Iraq, as part of ongoing operations against ISIS.