NatSec Brief: October 23, 2023
Ari Cicurel
Assistant Director of Foreign Policy
Amid the Israel-Gaza war, terrorist attacks in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen on October 18-23 targeted
or came near U.S. forces in the Middle East. The concurrent Iran-backed attacks against U.S.
forces and Israel strongly indicate the Iranian regime is seeking to gauge and erode U.S.
willingness to continue supporting Israel’s self-defense and deter further U.S. deployments to
the region or military action to support Israel and prevent Iran from escalating the conflict. The
United States should bolster its military and diplomatic support for Israel and use consistent,
strong military force against any group that endangers U.S. service members.
What Happened?
⚫ Two Iran-backed groups claimed to have conducted separate attacks on October 18 against
the Ain al-Asad and al Harir bases in Iraq, which host U.S. service members. Troops
sustained minor injuries in the attacks, which were the first attacks by any Iran-backed
groups against American troops since March.
⚫ On October 19, attacks emanating in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen endangered or were in
proximity to U.S. service members.
» Two of the drones targeting al-Tanf, Syria, where U.S. troops are deployed, were
reportedly shot down, while the third struck the facility. The attack resulted in the death of
one U.S. contractor from a cardiac episode as well as caused some damage and minor
injuries. U.S. officials have not attributed responsibility for the attack, but Iran-backed
militia have a history of striking U.S. forces in Syria with drones.
» There was also an unconfirmed attack against the Conoco gas field in eastern Syria,
which also hosts U.S. service members.
» Later on October 19, Iran-backed Houthis launched four missiles and fifteen drones that
the U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney intercepted. It
is possible that they were aimed at the USS Carney, but Pentagon Press Secretary
Brigadier General Pat Ryder said they were “launched from Yemen heading north along
the Red Sea, potentially towards targets in Israel.”
⚫ On October 20, 21, and 22 the Ain al-Asad Air Base came under fire again from drones and
rockets, and rockets also hit a base that hosts U.S. service members near Baghdad
International Airport on October 20.
⚫ On October 23, the Pentagon confirmed that U.S. forces at al-Tanf neutralized two one-way
attack drones.
⚫ These attacks came amid the Israel-Gaza war, which began with a heinous attack on
October 7 by the Iran-backed terrorist group Hamas. Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad
(PIJ), another Iran-backed terrorist group in Gaza, have launched over 7,000 rockets,
missiles, and drones at Israel since the war began.
