The Pentagon confirmed, on Thursday, October 19, 2023, that an American warship shot down 3 missiles and drones in the northern Red Sea, while drones and missiles targeted the Ain al-Asad air base, which hosts American and international forces in Iraq.

The Pentagon said it could not be said specifically whether the missiles were targeting him, but they may have been destined for targets in Israel.

Earlier Thursday, American officials said that a US Navy warship sailing near Yemen intercepted many missiles, indicating that there were no casualties, while it was possible to shoot down a number of missiles, including drones, near the destroyer "Carney." .

Meanwhile, the American website Axios quoted an Israeli official as saying that Tel Aviv has indications that the missiles launched from Yemen were directed towards Israel. Washington is on high alert as regional tension escalates during the war between Israel and Hamas.

Targeting the "Ain al-Assad" base

In a related context, two security sources indicated to Reuters that drones and missiles targeted, on Thursday evening, the Ain al-Asad air base, which hosts American and international forces in Iraq.

The two sources added that several explosions were heard inside the base located in Anbar Governorate in western Iraq.

Meanwhile, the Syrian SANA agency said that sounds of explosions rang out in the vicinity of the Konico gas field in Deir ez-Zor, where American forces are stationed.

On Wednesday, American forces in Iraq were subjected to two separate drone attacks, one of which caused minor injuries to a small number of soldiers, although the forces were able to intercept an armed drone.

The United States sent a large naval force to the Middle East last week, including two aircraft carriers, support ships, and about 2,000 Marines.

While the White House says there are "no plans or intentions" to use them, this means US military assets will be there to provide support to protect US national security interests if necessary.

The United States has 2,500 soldiers in Iraq and another 900 soldiers in neighboring Syria, on a mission to provide advice and assistance to local forces in the fight against ISIS, which in 2014 took control of large areas of territory in the two countries.