ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - An Iraqi militia group on Thursday said that it targeted US troops in Erbil province with two drones. The Pentagon confirmed the attack, deeming it “unsuccessful.”
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq said on its Telegram channel that it attacked US forces based near an Erbil airport with two drones without elaborating whether the targeted place was the Erbil International Airport or the Harir air base.
The group has claimed responsibility for most of the recent drone and rocket attacks against American troops in Iraq and Syria, linking the assaults to the US support for Israel's war against Palestinian Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.
Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder on Thursday confirmed during a press briefing that their troops were targeted in Erbil.
"We are aware of an attack today against US forces at Erbil air base in Iraq that was unsuccessful. No casualties [but] some minor damage to infrastructure," he said.
“We know that these are Iranian-backed militia groups that are supported by Iran and of course we hold Iran responsible for these groups,” added the spokesperson.
Erbil authorities have yet to comment on the attack.
The Pentagon spokesperson also said that his country’s forces have been attacked with suicide drones and rockets in Iraq and Syria between October 17-26 at least 16 times.
"Between October 17 and 18, Eastern Time, 21 US personnel received minor injuries due to drone attacks at al-Asad air base in Iraq and at Tanf garrison in Syria," he said, adding that "all members returned to duty."
"At Tanf garrison, during these two days, there were 17 US personnel who sustained minor injuries, 15 of whom were diagnosed with TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury. At al-Asad air base, four personnel were diagnosed with TBI but no other injured and again in all cases members returned to duty," he noted.
He also said that there have been no injuries or TBI cases since October 18.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday urged Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani to pursue the attackers of US bases and troops in Iraq, according to the State Department.
Updated at 11:39 pm
