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[1/3] A U.S army soldier stands with his weapon at a military base in the Makhmour area near Mosul during an operation to attack Islamic State militants in Mosul, Iraq, October 18, 2016. A U.S. military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, did not specifically say what might trigger the evacuation of U.S. military families, who are deployed to Middle East locations including Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet. Senior Biden administration officials including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin have warned of the risk of major escalation in attacks on American troops in the Middle East and that Iran could seek to widen the Israel-Hamas war. Austin has ordered new air defenses to the Middle East to safeguard troops, including a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. Iranian security officials told Reuters Iran's strategy was for Middle East proxies like Hezbollah to pursue limited strikes on Israeli and U.S. targets but to avoid a major escalation that would draw in Tehran.

Persons: Alaa, Michael, Erik, Kurilla, Asad, Lloyd Austin, Austin, John Kirby, Kirby, Phil Stewart, Chizu Organizations: Islamic, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Reuters, U.S . Army, U.S . Central Command, American, Navy's, Senior Biden, Defense, Pentagon, Area Defense, United, Thomson Locations: U.S, Makhmour, Mosul, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Israel, Gaza, Yemen, Iranian, Middle East, Bahrain, United States, Tehran

☆ Top U.S. Military Commander for the Middle East Visits Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The top U.S. military commander for the Middle East visited Tel Aviv Tuesday, the Pentagon said. Army Gen. Erik Kurilla is in Israel “to gain a clear understanding of Israel’s defense requirements, outline U.S. support efforts to avoid expansion of the conflict, and reiterate the Department of Defense’s ironclad support for Israel,” CENTCOM said.

Persons: Erik Kurilla, Israel “, ” CENTCOM Organizations: Tel, Pentagon, of, Israel Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel

The trip by Army General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, is the latest by a senior U.S. official to Israel ahead of an expected ground assault by Israel's military in Gaza. The Pentagon is also rushing weaponry, including air defenses and munitions, to Israel. "I'm here to ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself, particularly focused on avoiding other parties expanding the conflict," Kurilla told Reuters, which is traveling with him, in brief remarks before landing. A U.S. official told Reuters Kurilla was scheduled to hold high-level meetings with Israel's military leadership, ensuring a clear understanding of the close U.S. ally's defense requirements. Clashes this last week have been the deadliest in the Lebanon border area since a 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Persons: Michael, Erik, Kurilla, Jehad, Joe Biden, Reuters Kurilla, Biden, Israel, Antony Blinken, Phil Stewart, Stephen Coates Organizations: U.S . Central Command, Jordan, REUTERS, American, Palestinian, Hamas, Army, U.S, Pentagon, Reuters, United, Hezbollah, Thomson Locations: U.S, Jordan, Amman's, TEL AVIV, Israel, Gaza, Iran, Washington, United States, Lebanon, Lebanese

☆ Exclusive-Senior US General Flies Into Israel as Its War With Hamas Deepens
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

The trip by Army General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, is the latest by a senior U.S. official to Israel ahead of an expected ground assault by Israel's military in Gaza. "I'm here to ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself, particularly focused on avoiding other parties expanding the conflict," Kurilla told Reuters, which is traveling with him, in brief remarks before landing. A U.S. official told Reuters Kurilla was scheduled to hold high-level meetings with Israel's military leadership, ensuring a clear understanding of the close U.S. ally's defense requirements. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held hours of talks with Israel's war cabinet in Israel on Monday, and was once forced to shelter in a bunker for five minutes when air raid sirens went off. Clashes this last week have been the deadliest in the Lebanon border area since a 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Persons: Phil Stewart TEL, Michael, Erik, Kurilla, Joe Biden, Reuters Kurilla, Biden, Israel, Antony Blinken, Phil Stewart, Stephen Coates Organizations: Reuters, American, Palestinian, Hamas, Army, U.S . Central Command, U.S, Pentagon, United, Hezbollah Locations: Phil Stewart TEL AVIV, Israel, U.S, Gaza, Iran, Washington, United States, Lebanon, Lebanese

☆ Another US Navy carrier strike group is heading to waters near Israel, where it'll join a large amount of American firepower already there
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Pentagon ordered a second US Navy carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean. The strike group includes the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea, and guided-missile destroyers USS Gravely and USS Mason. AdvertisementAdvertisementWashington was reportedly considering sending the Eisenhower's carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean earlier this week, but no formal decision had been made at that time. The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) transits the Atlantic Ocean during Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7's fly-off. White House and Pentagon officials have said that the movement of carrier strike groups is meant to prevent this from happening.

Persons: Dwight D, Eisenhower, —, Lloyd Austin, Mason, Austin, Gerald R, Ford, Thomas Hudner, Ramage, USS Carney, Roosevelt, Ryan, Michael Kurilla Organizations: Pentagon, US Navy, Service, Eisenhower Carrier Strike, US European Command, Washington, Ford Carrier Strike, Carrier Air Wing, US State Department, US Central Command, NATO, Royal Marines, United Nations Locations: Israel, States, Europe, Asia, Normandy, Iran, White, Britain, Gaza, UN

☆ A US Navy carrier strike group is now in place to stop anyone from making the Israel-Hamas war any worse than it already is
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The Navy's most advanced aircraft carrier and its strike group arrived in the eastern Mediterranean Sea on Tuesday, where it's been positioned to deter anyone from capitalizing on the chaos of the Israel-Hamas war. US Central Command said the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group was among several forces deployed to the area in order "to deter any actor seeking to escalate the situation or widen this war." The forces included the actual aircraft carrier and support aircraft, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Sunday the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group would be sent to the region. US defense officials are still considering sending another aircraft carrier to the region, in addition to the Ford.

Persons: supercarrier, Dwight D, Eisenhower, —, it's, Gerald R, Arleigh Burke, Thomas Hudner, Ramage, USS Carney, Roosevelt, Michael, Erik, Kurilla, Lloyd Austin, Insider's Chris Panella Organizations: Central Command, Service, US Central Command, Ford Carrier Strike, Ticonderoga, U.S . Central Command, US, Sunday, Hamas, Gaza Ministry, Health, Ford, Officials, Wall Street Journal, ABC Locations: Israel, Normandy, U.S, Gaza

☆ U.S. Aircraft Carrier Gerald R. Ford Arrives in Region
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The U.S. carrier strike group sent toward Israel as a deterrent measure against hostile regional groups arrived Tuesday afternoon, the Pentagon announced. The USS Gerald R. Ford, an aircraft carrier, and its accompanying ships were operating in the Mediterranean when the Biden administration directed them toward the Middle East shortly after Hamas attacked Israel on Saturday. “The arrival of these highly capable forces to the region is a strong signal of deterrence should any actor hostile to Israel consider trying to take advantage of this situation,” said Army Gen. Erik Kurilla, commander, U.S. Central Command, which is responsible for U.S. military operations in the Middle East, said in a statement. The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, another carrier, which was previously scheduled to travel to the Mediterranean, is expected to leave the U.S. later this week.

Persons: Gerald R, Ford, Biden, Israel, ”, Erik Kurilla, Dwight D, Eisenhower Organizations: U.S, Pentagon, U.S . Central Command Locations: Israel, U.S

☆ Iranian forces dangerously flashed a laser at a US Marine Corps attack helicopter
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Iranian naval ships repeatedly shined a laser at a US Marine Corps helicopter on Wednesday. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementAdvertisementIranian naval forces repeatedly flashed a laser at a US Marine Corps attack helicopter flying above Middle Eastern waters, the US Navy said on Thursday, as tensions between the two countries remain high across the region. This unsafe, unprofessional, and irresponsible behavior by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy risks US and partner nation lives and needs to cease immediately," Cmdr. "US naval forces remain vigilant and will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows while promoting regional maritime security."

Persons: —, NAVCENT, It's, Cmdr, Rick Chernitzer, Trump, Michael Kurilla, Washington's, John Kirby, there's, Kirby Organizations: US Marine Corps, US Navy, Service, US Naval Forces Central Command, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Iran's Guard Corps, Pentagon, US Central Command, Bataan, Ready, Guard Corps, National Security Locations: Iran, Arabian, Bataan, Iraq, Syria, Tehran

☆ US military to conduct additional interviews with witnesses of Kabul airport bombing
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The senior US general for the Middle East has ordered additional interviews be conducted regarding the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul, Afghanistan, which killed 13 US service members during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, the US military announced Friday. It’s unclear if the new interviews will include Afghans who witnessed the blast, which killed more than 170 Afghan civilians. When pressed on whether the interviews would include Afghans, Lawhorn said it would be “up to the Supplementary Review Team to decide who to interview.”“I cannot be explicit about anything that the Supplementary Review Team may or may not decide to review in the future,” Lawhorn said. CENTCOM released a lengthy after-action review last year that included statements from more than 100 witnesses. Tyler Vargas-Andrews, who was seriously injured in the blast and who has said he was not interviewed in CENTCOM’s original investigation.

Persons: Michael “ Erik ” Kurilla, Pat Frank, ”, Michael Lawhorn, Lawhorn, ” Lawhorn, CENTCOM, Tyler Vargas, Andrews, Vargas, ” Vargas, “, they’d, Kurilla, Frank Organizations: CNN, US Central Command, US Army Central, Marines, Gold Star Locations: Kabul, Afghanistan

☆ The US is quietly warning its Middle East partners about the cost of stocking up on Chinese-made weapons
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Chinese arms sales in the Middle East have increased by 80% over the past decade, a result of Beijing's expanding relationships there and its willingness to deliver arms faster and with fewer stipulations than Washington. FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty ImagesMiddle Eastern countries, led by the Arab Gulf states, have for decades been major buyers of US-made weapons. Chinese arms sales to the region are "substantial and expected to continue to increase," said Ahmed Aboudouh, an associate fellow at Chatham House. "But it's just one factor among many, including varying threat perceptions of Iran among the Arab Gulf states as well as varying levels of trust between the Arab Gulf governments themselves." Paul Iddon is a freelance journalist and columnist who writes about Middle East developments, military affairs, politics, and history.

Persons: Michael Kurilla, Kurilla, Loong, KARIM SAHIB, Colin Kahl, Biden, Kahl, We're, FAYEZ NURELDINE, Ahmed Aboudouh, Aboudouh, James Hodgman, Russia's, ANDREW CABALLERO, REYNOLDS, Emily Hawthorne, RANE, that's, Hawthorne, Abu Dhabi, Mohammed bin Zayed, Xi, ANDY WONG, Kahl's, Paul Iddon Organizations: Service, US Central Command, Senate Armed Services Committee, Dubai Airshow, Getty, Chatham House, Pentagon, Getty Images, United Arab Emirates, Patriot, Al Udeid, Base, US Air Force, Tech, Air Defense, Turkey, NATO, East, Khalifa, UAE, US, Abu Dhabi Crown, Gulf Cooperation Council Locations: China, Washington, Wall, Silicon, Beijing, AFP, British, Saudi, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, East, North Africa, Qatar, Russia, Europe, Gulf, UAE, Yemen, Ankara, Turkey, Prince, Xinhua, Khalifa, Abu, Arab Gulf, Iran

☆ Video captures a Russian Su-35 fighter jet harassing and breaking a US Reaper drone by popping flares above it
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A Russian fighter jet flew "dangerously close" to a US military drone over Syria, the Air Force said. The Su-35 harassed the MQ-9 Reaper drone by releasing flares in its path, damaging the propeller. It's the latest incident of aggressive Russian aircraft maneuvers over the Middle East. More recently, the Air Force said in mid-July that a Russian aircraft engaged a US MC-12 surveillance plane "in an unsafe and unprofessional manner." The recent engagement is also not the first time that Russian aircraft harassment resulted in damage to a Reaper drone's propeller.

Persons: Alexus Grynkewich, Assad, Sabrina Singh, Michael Kurilla Organizations: Air Force, Service, US Air, US, Islamic, ISIS, US Air Forces Central Command, Russian, US Air Force, Pentagon, US Central Command Locations: Russian, Syria, Wall, Silicon, Islamic State, Washington, Moscow, Russia

☆ Pentagon says it's almost like Russia's on a 'mission to protect ISIS leaders' after its fighter jets harassed US Reaper drones that took out a top terrorist
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Russian fighter jets harassed several US military drones operating above Syria on Friday. Those same American MQ-9 Reaper drones later went on to kill an ISIS leader during an operation. A Pentagon official said Monday it's almost like Moscow is "on a mission to protect ISIS leaders." On Wednesday, Russian Su-35s dropped parachute flares and engaged afterburners in front of three Reaper drones. The following day, Russian Su-34 and Su-35 fighter jets dropped flares and flew "dangerously close" to an unspecified number of Reaper drones.

Persons: Alexus Grynkewich, Usamah, Michael, Erik, Kurilla, Assad, Sabrina Singh, Singh, CENTCOM, Russian Su, Grynkewich, Colin Kahl, Kahl Organizations: Pentagon, ISIS, Service, Russia, Islamic, NATO, US Air Forces Central Command, US Central Command, U.S, US Air Force, Russian, US, Dassault Rafale, Air Force, Washington Locations: Syria, Moscow, Wall, Silicon, Russia, Washington, Russian, Screengrab

☆ US says drones harassed by Russian aircraft killed ISIS leader in Syria
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The US military killed an ISIS leader on Friday in a drone strike in eastern Syria, the US Central Command announced Sunday. The strike, carried out by the same MQ-9 Reaper drones that were harassed by Russian aircraft earlier that day, killed Usama al-Muhajir, according to a press release. US drones participating in the anti-ISIS mission in Syria were harassed three times in as many days last week by Russian aircraft that are in Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assad. The incident Friday between the Russian fighter jets and the US drones lasted for nearly two hours, a US Air Forces Central release said. Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, commander of US Air Forces Central, said in the release that Russian aircraft “flew 18 unprofessional close passes that caused the MQ-9s to react to avoid unsafe situations.”

Persons: Usama, Gen, Michael “ Erik ” Kurilla, CENTCOM, ” CENTCOM, Bashar al, Assad, Alex Grynkewich, “ Organizations: CNN, US Central Command, Russian, ISIS, US Air Forces Central Locations: Syria

☆ Video shows Russian fighter jets bullying US Reaper drones with their afterburners and flares
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russian fighter jets were captured on video harassing US military drones above Syria. The US Air Force said the MQ-9 Reaper drones were conducting a mission against ISIS Wednesday. US officials have warned that Russian aircraft are increasingly carrying out aggressive actions. An unclassified video published by the Air Force shows some moments of the engagement. "These events represent another example of unprofessional and unsafe actions by Russian air forces operating in Syria, which threaten the safety of both US and Russian forces," Grynkewich said.

Persons: —, Alexus Grynkewich, Grynkewich, Michael Kurilla, Russian Su Organizations: US Air Force, ISIS Wednesday, Service, Russian, Islamic State, US Air Forces Central Command, Air Force, ISIS, Central Command, Raptors, Moscow, Islamic Locations: Syria, Russian, Islamic State, Washington

☆ US sends stealth F-22 Raptors to deter 'unsafe' Russian pilots stirring up trouble in the Middle East
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The US military has deployed F-22 stealth fighters to positions in the Middle East. US Central Command indicated the move is to deter aggressive actions by Russian aircraft. Officials have noted several instances in recent months where Russian jets made "unsafe" maneuvers. In recent months, US officials have called attention to several instances in which Russian aircraft appear to have executed aggressive maneuvers around American assets and interests across the Middle East. While the jets send a message, an AFCENT spokesperson told Insider that the "primary purpose" of the fighter jets is to contribute to the ongoing defeat-ISIS mission.

Persons: —, CENTCOM, Alexus Grynkewich, Chris Drzazgowsk, Michael Kurilla Organizations: Command, Russian, Service, Raptors, Central, Air Forces Central, ISIS, . Air Force, REUTERS, Russian Forces, Soviets, Islamic, Air Force, US Locations: East, Europe, North Africa, Central, South Asia, Syria, China

☆ US set to launch formal investigation into disputed Syria drone strike after reports it killed a civilian, defense officials sa
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Oren Liebermann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The US military is set to launch a formal investigation into a drone strike in Syria in early May, six weeks after the operation and following reports it killed a civilian rather than a senior al-Qaeda leader as first claimed, three defense officials familiar with the matter told CNN. A spokesman for CENTCOM, Michael Lawhorn, said the investigation process is continuing but that there were no updates at this time. It took US Central Command two weeks to begin a review of the incident, known as a civilian casualty credibility assessment report. The policy was developed in 2022 after a botched US drone strike in Kabul that killed 10 civilians in the final days of the withdrawal from Afghanistan. In that case, CENTCOM opened a formal 15-6 investigation into the strike within a week of the operation.

Persons: Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM, Kurilla, Hassan, Michael Lawhorn, Matthew McFarlane, ”, Annie Shiel, Shiel, Lloyd Austin, “, Brig, Pat Ryder Organizations: CNN, Command, Central Command, Pentagon, US Central Command, Washington Post, Force, ISIS, Center for Civilians, Defense Department, Defense Locations: Syria, Hassan Mesto, Kabul, Afghanistan

CNN —The US military deployed F-22 fighter jets to the Middle East this week due to concerns about ‘unsafe and unprofessional behavior,’ by Russian aircraft, the US military announced on Wednesday. “Russian Forces’ unsafe and unprofessional behavior is not what we expect from a professional air force. A US Air Forces Central spokesperson said there has been an increase “over the past several weeks” of unprofessional behavior by Russian aircraft. “While the unprofessional and unsafe behavior varies from day to day and pilot to pilot, compared to behavior a year ago, Russian pilots have become significantly more unprofessional and unsafe in their attempts to challenge Coalition enduring defeat-Da’esh operations,” the spokesperson said. “Previously, Russian military leadership in Syria had been willing to comply with agreed upon deconfliction protocols,” they added.

Persons: ”, Michael “ Erik ” Kurilla, Alex Grynkewich, Kurilla, “ Organizations: CNN, “ Russian Forces, 94th Fighter Squadron, Langley Air Force Base, US Air Forces Central, Raptors, US, Russian, Coalition Locations: Virginia, Europe, Ukraine, Syria, Russia

☆ The Taliban promised to provide security to Afghans. New data shows threat from ISIS is growing
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Eliza Mackintosh Ehsan Popalzai Antonio Jarne Lou Robinson | Eliza Mackintosh | Ehsan Popalzai | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

“Currently we don’t have security in Afghanistan at all, whenever we go out we don’t know if we will come home alive or not,” he added. Taliban security forces guard a checkpoint near the foreign ministry in Kabul on March 27, after an ISIS-K suicide bomber struck the site. The data, which is available in a live map, includes 367 pieces of open-source evidence — largely videos and images shared on social media — about 70 ISIS-K attacks since August 2021. As the Taliban try to minimize the threat ISIS-K poses, attacks on civilians continue. Taliban security forces have been waging ongoing operations and night raids against ISIS-K.

CNN —The ISIS-K leader who planned the deadly 2021 suicide bombing at the Kabul international airport’s Abbey Gate was killed by the Taliban, according to the National Security Council. Kirby did not specify when the Taliban killed the ISIS-K leader, but called it one in a “series of high-profile leadership losses” that ISIS-K has suffered this year. The terrorist who carried out the suicide bombing, Abdul Rehman Al-Loghri, had been released from prison only days earlier when the Taliban took control of the area. ISIS-K stands for ISIS-Khorasan, the terror organization’s affiliate that is active in Afghanistan and the surrounding region. Taylor Hoover, who was killed in the bombing, told CNN that he was notified by the military Tuesday morning.

[1/2] U.S. Joint Chiefs Chair Army General Mark Milley speaks with U.S. forces in Syria during an unannounced visit, at a U.S. military base in Northeast Syria, March 4, 2023. The attack against U.S. personnel took place at a coalition base near Hasakah in northeast Syria at approximately 1:38 p.m. (1038 GMT) on Thursday, it said. The other two wounded American troops were treated at the base in northeast Syria, the Pentagon said. Thousands of other Islamic State fighters are in detention facilities guarded by Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, America's key ally in the country. American officials say that Islamic State could still regenerate into a major threat.

Just a day after the deadly attack on U.S. personnel in Syria, which Washington blamed on a drone of Iranian origin, sources said a U.S. base in Syria's northeast was targeted with a new missile attack. The U.S. strikes were in response to an attack earlier on Thursday by an attack drone against U.S. personnel at a coalition base near Hasakah in northeast Syria. Three service members and a contractor required medical evacuation to Iraq, where the U.S.-led coalition battling the remnants of Islamic State has medical facilities, the Pentagon said. NEW ATTACK INEFFECTIVEA U.S. base at the Al-Omar oil field in Syria was targeted with a missile attack on Friday morning, according to Lebanese pro-Iranian TV channel Al Mayadeen and a security source. U.S. forces first deployed into Syria during the Obama administration's campaign against Islamic State, partnering with a Kurdish-led group called the Syrian Democratic Forces.

☆ A key air defense system wasn't working right when a drone killed an American in Syria, pushing the US to retaliate with force
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The main air defense system at a coalition airbase was "not fully operational" when the attack unfolded, The New York Times reported on Friday. One US official told the Times that the Avenger defense system could have been suffering from a maintenance problem. The drone, which the US intelligence community suspects is of Iranian origin, killed a US contractor and wounded five American service members and an additional contractor. The three injured service members and the contractor were transported to a coalition medical facility in Iraq, while the other two injured service members were treated on site. Austin said his thoughts are with the family and colleagues of the contractor who was killed and also with the wounded service members.

☆ Missile attack targets U.S. base in east Syria - security source, media
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIRUT, March 24 (Reuters) - A U.S. base at the Al-Omar oil field in Syria's northeast was targeted with a missile attack on Friday morning, according to Lebanese pro-Iranian TV channel Al Mayadeen and a security source. The source told Reuters the attack took place at around 11 a.m. (0900 GMT) and it was unclear whether it had caused casualties. Thursday's attack took place at a coalition base near Hasakah in northeast Syria, the Pentagon said in a statement. The U.S. intelligence community assessed that the one-way attack drone was Iranian in origin, the Pentagon said, a conclusion that could further aggravate already strained relations between Washington and Tehran. Reporting by Orhan Qereman Writing by Timour Azhari Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Frances KerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. contractor killed, five service members and contractor wounded in suicide drone strike in Syria
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Courtney Kube | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

US forces patrol near the countryside of Rumaylan (Rmeilan) in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province near the Turkish border, on December 2, 2022. A U.S. contractor was killed and five U.S. service members and one U.S. contractor were wounded Thursday when a suicide drone hit a coalition base near Hasakah in northeast Syria just before 2 p.m. local time, the Defense Department said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with the family and colleagues of the contractor who was killed and with those who were wounded in the attack earlier today," he said. Two wounded service members were treated on-site, while three others and the wounded U.S. contractor were evacuated to medical facilities in Iraq. The attacks, mainly by drones and rockets, are believed to have carried out by Iran or Iranian-backed proxies.

☆ A top US general warns ISIS will be able to strike Western interests from Afghanistan within 6 months
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

ISIS could strike Western interests from Afghanistan within months, a top US general says. Gen. Michael Kurilla warned the terror group's Afghanistan affiliate could stage attacks abroad. Its "ultimate goal" is to strike the US homeland, Kurilla told lawmakers, which would be difficult. The terror group continued to carry out attacks across Afghanistan in 2022 — targeting everything from schools to mosques, and killing scores of people. In the latter two countries, US and partner forces have carried out nearly 100 operations against the terror group since the start of 2023, according to CENTCOM fact sheets.

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