In the past 24 hours, Iranian-backed militants have launched four attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, bringing the total number of attacks to 52 in less than a month, according to U.S. defense officials. These attacks prompted Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to issue a warning, stating that if they continue, the U.S. will not hesitate to take necessary action to protect its troops. The recent attacks occurred after the U.S. conducted airstrikes on two Iran-linked sites in Syria on Sunday in response to previous attacks on American personnel.

The Pentagon confirmed that the strikes targeted a training facility near Abu Kamal and a safe house near Mayadin. This marked the third round of U.S. strikes against targets associated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in as many weeks. Previously, fighter jets targeted a weapons storage site in Syria and hit two facilities that were allegedly used by Iran and Iranian proxy forces.

In the most recent attack, multiple one-way drones were launched at Rumalyn Landing Zone in Syria. One drone was successfully shot down, while the other impacted the garrison, causing damage to several tents but no casualties. Most of the attacks have been either disrupted by the U.S. military or failed to reach their targets, resulting in no casualties or infrastructure damage. However, there have been a handful of attacks that left 56 U.S. military personnel injured, with injuries ranging from traumatic brain injuries to shrapnel or perforated eardrums.

Despite returning to duty following their injuries, two U.S. personnel who had initially been treated for traumatic brain injuries were sent to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany for further examination out of caution. Additionally, one U.S. contractor at al-Asad Air Base in Iraq suffered a cardiac episode and died during a false alarm of an air attack.

In response to the attacks, the U.S. has increased its presence in the region to protect its forces and deter Iran, its proxies such as the Houthis and Hezbollah, and other malign actors from escalating the Israel-Hamas conflict. The U.S. has conducted “precision” airstrikes on facilities used by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, according to the Pentagon. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin emphasized that these strikes were carried out to defend the U.S., its personnel, and its interests.

These airstrikes, which are the third round of such attacks since October 26, come amid heightened tensions in the region due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The U.S. has clarified that its airstrikes are not directly linked to the conflict in Gaza and were not conducted in coordination with Israel. American officials have also been in contact with Iran and its proxies to warn against further escalation of the fighting in the region.

It is worth noting that the airstrikes have resulted in casualties among pro-Iran fighters. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least eight fighters, including Syrian and Iraqi nationals, were killed in the U.S. airstrikes in eastern Syria. The strikes targeted the Mayadeen and Albu Kamal areas in Syria's Deir Ezzor province near the border with Iraq.

The U.S. military has stated that these airstrikes are aimed at deterring attacks on American forces in Iraq and Syria, which have increased since October 17 and have wounded dozens of U.S. personnel. The Pentagon has confirmed that all injured personnel have returned to duty.

With the ongoing conflict in Gaza and concerns about a potential regional escalation, there is a fear that Iran and its proxies could become involved in the fight between Israel and Hamas, leading to a more serious and widespread war. However, the U.S. has emphasized that its recent airstrikes are separate and unrelated to the situation in Gaza. President Joe Biden has also directly warned Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei not to target U.S. troops in the Middle East.