Iran’s Proxies in Yemen Are a Danger We Can’t Ignore

Attacks on military bases manned by U.S. Armed Forces and defense contractors in the Middle East, carried out by Iran-backed proxies, have reached a total of 66 since October 17.

Since that date, the 66 attacks on military bases manned by U.S. Armed Forces and defense contractors in the Middle East have included 32 attacks in Iraq and 34 in Syria, resulting in the death of one contractor and at least 60 injuries to service members.

Despite warnings from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, threats of kinetic strikes, and sanctions against Iran-backed militias, the attacks persist. The Pentagon is yet to reveal a more assertive response to deter these attacks.

Iran believed to be utilizing proxy armies like Hamas, Hezbollah, Shia militias, and the Houthis to continue its assault on U.S. forces in an attempt to remove U.S. military presence and gain control of the Middle East.

As retired U.S. Army Gen. Jack Keane said recently (quoted on Fox News), Iran's goal is “to drive U.S. military forces’ presence out of the region … to achieve their strategic objective, which is domination and control of the Middle East region … and to destroy the state of Israel.”

While Iran has pointedly distanced itself from Hamas's attack on Israel, some sources (namely the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post) refute these claims.

United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin warned Iran last week while in Seoul, South Korea: “These attacks must stop, and if they don't stop, then we won’t hesitate to do what’s necessary, again, to protect the troops.” 

Source: The Messenger