The early months of 2024 have witnessed a significant escalation in the pattern of hostilities in the Middle East, particularly targeting US military installations in Iraq and Syria. This resurgence of violence disrupts a period of relative calm that had persisted since February and comes amidst deepening tensions between regional powers, notably Israel and Iran, and their respective allies. The following analysis delves into the specifics of these incidents, their geopolitical implications, and the broader context in which these attacks are occurring.
Detailed Account of Recent Events
On a quiet Sunday in northeastern Syria, the calm was shattered by the sound of rockets arcing through the sky. According to Iraqi security sources and a US official cited by Reuters, approximately five rockets were launched from the Iraqi town of Zummar, situated near the border with Syria. These projectiles were aimed at a US military base in Rumalyn, where they reportedly failed to cause any American casualties. The nature of the failure—whether the rockets missed their intended target or were intercepted—remains unclear.
In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Iraqi security forces conducted a thorough search operation in the vicinity of the launch site. Their efforts led to the discovery of a small truck equipped with a rocket launcher, which was found in Zummar. It appears the vehicle caught fire due to an accidental detonation of the remaining unfired rockets, creating a secondary explosion. Concurrently, there were reports of US-led coalition aircraft in the airspace, which later executed a strike targeting the implicated rocket launcher.
This incident marked the first such attack on US forces since early February. It occurred just one day after Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani returned from a diplomatic visit to the United States, where he met with President Joe Biden. This timing is particularly notable as it suggests a calculated response from certain factions within Iraq, discontent with the outcomes of the diplomatic talks concerning the future presence of US troops in the region.

TABLE – Attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq, Jordan, and Syria (2023–2024)
Date | Location | Attack Details | Casualties / Damage |
---|---|---|---|
17 Oct 2023 | Al-Asad Air Base | Drone strike intercepted | Civilian contractor died from cardiac arrest due to false alarm |
20 Oct 2023 | Al-Asad Air Base | US ordered non-emergency staff to leave embassy in Baghdad and consulate in Erbil | |
20 Nov 2023 | Al-Asad Air Base | Ballistic missile attack injured 8 US and coalition soldiers; minor infrastructural damage | |
20 Jan 2024 | Al-Asad Air Base | Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for missile strike injuring several US military personnel and an Iraqi service member | |
18 Oct 2023 | Al-Tanf Garrison | Iranian proxy drone strike resulted in over 20 injuries | |
1 Nov 2023 | Al-Tanf Garrison | Minor drone strike reported | |
8 Nov 2023 | Al-Harir Air Base | Armed drone targeted base, hosting US forces, in northern Iraq | |
25 Dec 2023 | Al-Harir Air Base | Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for drone attack injuring 3 US soldiers, one critical | |
24 Oct 2023 | Eastern Syria Bases | Islamic Resistance of Iraq claimed responsibility for multiple drone strikes on US bases | |
9 Nov 2023 | Various Locations | US forces struck multiple times including drone strikes and IED attack | |
10 Jan 2024 | Hemo Base | Islamic Resistance of Iraq claimed responsibility for attack resulting in US withdrawal from the base | US withdrew, evacuated 350 soldiers, relocated to Tal Baidar base |
18 Jan 2024 | Near Muqdadiyah, Diyala | Islamic Resistance of Iraq shot down US MQ-9 Reaper drone | |
28 Jan 2024 | Tower 22 Outpost, Jordan | One-way drone attack resulted in 3 US soldiers dead, 47 injured | |
4 Feb 2024 | Al-Omar Field, Syria | Drone strike at training ground resulted in Kurdish casualties | No US casualties reported |
12 Feb 2024 | Deir ez-Zor Governorate | Syrian Democratic Forces killed members of pro-government militia |
TABLE – RESPONSE – Attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq, Jordan, and Syria (2023–2024)
Date | Event Description | Location | Method of Attack | Targets | Casualties |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
27 October | US military responds to airstrikes by bombing weapons and ammunition storage facilities | Abu Kamal, Syria | F-16 fighter jets | Weapons and ammunition storage facilities | – |
Total of 16 military airstrikes conducted by Iran-backed groups: 12 in Iraq and 4 in Syria | – | ||||
8 November | US Department of Defense attacks IRGC and IRGC-linked targets | Deir ez-Zor | Not specified | IRGC and IRGC-linked targets | 9 workers killed |
12 November | Additional US airstrikes target IRGC affiliated groups | Mayadin and Abu Kamal | Not specified | Safe house and training area used by militias | 8 militiamen killed |
21 November | USAF AC-130 gunship retaliates against Kata’ib Hezbollah vehicle | Abu Gharib | AC-130 gunship | Kata’ib Hezbollah vehicle | Several Iran-backed fighters killed |
US fighters jets conduct airstrikes on Iraqi Kata’ib Hezbollah facilities | Fighter jets | Iraqi Kata’ib Hezbollah facilities | Over 8 fighters killed | ||
4 December | US airstrike near Kirkuk kills five Iraqi militants | Kirkuk | Not specified | Iraqi militants attempting to fire explosive projectiles | 5 militants killed |
26 December | US conducts airstrike on PMU base in Hillah | Hillah | Not specified | PMU base | 1 soldier killed, 20 injured (12 Ministry of Interior) |
4 January 2024 | US drone strike on headquarters of Harakat Al-Nujaba in Baghdad | Baghdad | Drone strike | Harakat Al-Nujaba headquarters | 4 individuals killed, 6 wounded |
23 January 2024 | US launches series of airstrikes on three facilities used by Iran-backed militias | Iraq | Not specified | Facilities used by Iran-backed militias | Not specified |
2 February 2024 | US launches retaliatory airstrikes targeting Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria | Iraq and Syria | Retaliatory airstrikes | Iran-backed militias | At least 35 militiamen killed in Syria |
7 February 2024 | US drone strike on a vehicle in Baghdad | Mashtal neighborhood | Drone strike | Vehicle used by Kata’ib Hezbollah or Popular Mobilization Forces | Commander of Kata’ib Hezbollah killed |
5 January 2024 | Iraqi Prime Minister announces process towards removal of US-led international military coalition | Baghdad | Not specified | US-led international military coalition | – |
30 January 2024 | Kata’ib Hezbollah announces suspension of all military operations against US forces | Not specified | Not specified | US forces | – |
22 March 2024 | Iraqi Foreign Minister meets with US National Security Advisor | United States | Not specified | Not specified | – |
1 April 2024 | Kata’ib Hezbollah security chief announces readiness to arm “Islamic Resistance” in Jordan | Iraq | Not specified | “Islamic Resistance” in Jordan | – |
Contextual Backdrop of the Attacks
The attacks on US forces are not isolated incidents but part of a larger pattern of military and political maneuvering in the Middle East. These developments are occurring against a backdrop of strained relations between the United States and various Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. Since the formal conclusion of the US combat mission in Iraq in 2021, approximately 2,500 US troops have remained in the country under a “train and assist” mandate. Meanwhile, ongoing discussions about the complete withdrawal of these forces have been fraught with delays and controversy.
Adding to the complexity, Syria has consistently voiced objections to the presence of US forces on its soil, labeling it as “illegal.” The Syrian government, supported by its allies, has been vocal in demanding the withdrawal of US troops, which are estimated to number between 900 and 2,000 across different locations in Syria.
The recent attacks also followed a significant incident on Saturday, preceding the Sunday rocket attack, where a massive explosion at the Kalsu military base in Babylon province, Iraq, resulted in the death of an Iraqi security force member. This base houses not only regular army and police units but also elements of the Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashed Al-Shaabi), highlighting the diverse and often fragmented nature of military and paramilitary forces in Iraq.

Claims and Reactions
In the wake of the Sunday attack, a statement appeared on a Telegram group affiliated with Kataib Hezbollah, an Iraqi Shia paramilitary group with close ties to Iran. The statement declared, “What happened a short while ago is the beginning,” signaling a potential resumption of hostilities against US forces in the region. This proclamation suggests that the decision to resume attacks was motivated by the perceived lack of progress during Prime Minister al-Sudani’s talks in Washington, particularly regarding the timeline for the withdrawal of US troops.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported on the incident, noting that several rockets were fired from Iraqi territory at the Kharab al-Jir base in northeast Syria. This base is another significant location where US forces are stationed, underscoring the broad geographical scope of the tensions and the capabilities of the militias involved in these operations.
Immediate and Broader Geopolitical Implications
These renewed hostilities have immediate implications for the security of US forces in the region and pose broader challenges for US foreign policy in the Middle East. The attacks are likely to complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilizing the region and negotiating the terms of US military presence in both Iraq and Syria. Moreover, they could potentially escalate into a larger conflict involving various regional stakeholders, thereby exacerbating the already volatile security situation in the Middle East.
Escalating Tensions in the Middle East: A Closer Look at Recent Military Actions in Iraq and Syria
The Resurgence of Hostilities: A Detailed Account of Recent Events
The Middle East has long been a region of complex geopolitical dynamics and ongoing military tensions. Recent events in Iraq and Syria indicate that the relative calm experienced in the past few months might be nearing its end, heralding a potential resurgence of conflict. This analysis provides a comprehensive examination of the sequence of events, the involved parties, and the broader implications of these developments.
Incident at the US Base in Syria
On January 30, a significant shift occurred following months of attacks targeting American troops stationed in Iraq and Syria. The Shiite militia group Kataeb Hezbollah, one of the prominent Iran-backed factions in the region, declared a halt to their offensive operations. This pause was ostensibly to avoid further embarrassing the Iraqi government, which has been caught between its alliances and pressure from external forces.
This calm was abruptly disrupted on a late Sunday evening when five rockets were launched from the Iraqi town of Zummar towards a US military base in northeastern Syria. This marked the first such attack on this base in over two months, raising immediate concerns about the cessation of hostilities and the intentions behind this sudden escalation.
Conflicting Communications and the Role of Media
In the aftermath of the rocket attack, the communication channels affiliated with Kataeb Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups became a primary source for understanding their motives. A statement released on a Kataeb-affiliated Telegram channel indicated a resumption of military activities, justified by the failure of the Iraqi government to secure a timetable for the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq. The statement noted that the Iraqi resistance had given Iraq’s Prime Minister three months to negotiate with the American forces, which had apparently not led to any substantive action.
However, this narrative was immediately contested. Sabereen News, another Telegram group with affiliations to Iran and its proxies, and Al Mayadeen, a well-known media outlet in the region, both denied that Kataeb Hezbollah had issued any statement about resuming attacks. This discrepancy in reports creates a murky picture, potentially indicative of internal disagreements within the groups or a strategic disinformation campaign aimed at creating confusion.
Iran’s Strategic Calculations
The timing and nature of these attacks cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader regional context, particularly Iran’s strategic interests. The attacks followed closely after high-profile discussions between Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani and U.S. President Joe Biden in Washington, which focused on the future of American military presence in Iraq. Iran, leveraging its influence over militias like Kataeb Hezbollah, appears to be using military pressure as a bargaining chip in its regional power calculations, particularly to counteract Israeli actions in Syria.
Hybrid Warfare and the Battle for Influence
The Middle East, a region steeped in historical conflicts and rich cultural legacies, remains a focal point of global strategic interest. The geopolitics of the Middle East are complex and involve a myriad of actors, each with their own agendas and strategies. At the heart of these geopolitical dynamics is the concept of hybrid warfare, which includes a combination of conventional military forces, cyber warfare, economic pressure, and strategic communication. This type of warfare has become increasingly prominent in the interactions between major regional players such as Israel and Iran, as well as various proxy groups that operate within and across national borders.
The Role of Hybrid Warfare in Regional Conflicts
Hybrid warfare is characterized by its multifaceted nature, blending traditional military power with irregular tactics and disruptive technologies. In the context of the Middle East, this approach allows state and non-state actors to achieve their objectives through means that extend beyond the battlefield. For instance, cyber-attacks can disrupt critical infrastructure and spread misinformation, while economic sanctions can cripple an adversary’s economy without a single shot being fired.
Israel, Iran, and the Proxy Dimension
The rivalry between Israel and Iran serves as a prominent example of hybrid warfare in the region. Israel, known for its advanced military capabilities and technological prowess, has conducted numerous operations aimed at undermining Iran’s influence and military presence, particularly in Syria and Lebanon. These operations often involve airstrikes on Iranian-backed militia positions or infrastructure deemed threatening to Israeli security.
Conversely, Iran has leveraged its network of proxy groups, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and various militias in Iraq and Syria, to exert influence and retaliate against Israeli actions. These proxies allow Iran to engage in conflict indirectly, maintaining plausible deniability while achieving strategic depth.
Media Manipulation and Disinformation
An integral component of hybrid warfare is the strategic use of media and information. Both Israel and Iran, along with their respective allies and proxies, engage in sophisticated information operations to shape public perception and influence international opinion. These efforts can include everything from state-sponsored propaganda to the use of social media platforms to spread targeted disinformation campaigns.
The role of media manipulation was vividly illustrated following the rocket attacks from Iraq’s town of Zummar towards a US military base in northeastern Syria. Divergent statements and reports emerged from various sources, creating confusion and conflicting narratives about the intentions and perpetrators of the attacks. This disinformation can serve strategic purposes, obscuring the true actors or intentions behind military actions and complicating the response from adversaries and the international community.
Israeli Airstrikes and the Shadow War
The regional dynamics are further complicated by Israeli military actions. Just a day before the rocket attacks, Israeli forces reportedly conducted airstrikes against Iran’s S-300 missile defense system near Isfahan. Subsequently, airstrikes targeted the headquarters and a major base of the Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) in Babylon, south of Baghdad. While the US military denied involvement, and Israel did not claim responsibility, these actions point to a continuing shadow war between Israel and Iran-backed militias.
In….Summary
The recent spike in rocket attacks on US military bases in Iraq and Syria is a clear indicator of the fragile and tense security environment in the Middle East. With roots deeply embedded in the complex interplay of regional politics, foreign policy ambitions, and local militia activities, these incidents serve as a stark reminder of the challenges facing any efforts to bring lasting peace and stability to the region. As the situation continues to develop, the international community remains watchful, hoping for a de-escalation of tensions and a peaceful resolution to the conflicts that have long plagued this pivotal part of the world.