The Implications of Renewed U.S.-Iran Violence in Iraq and Syria

A series of clashes with Iran-backed militias in Syria and Iraq is increasing pressure on the United States to draw down from both countries, while raising the risk of a greater military escalation with Tehran. Iranian-backed militia launched a series of attacks on U.S. targets in Syria and Iraq on July 7, with at least 14 rockets striking the Ain al-Asad airbase in Western Iraq and lightly wounding two U.S. troops. Militia also fired two rockets at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, causing no damage. In neighboring Syria, a drone attacked near the U.S.-protected Al Omar oil field on the northern side of the Euphrates River. The day before, on July 6, a drone attacked the Erbil airport in Iraqi Kurdistan, which houses U.S. troops, causing no damage. These attacks come as Iranian-backed militias in Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al Shuhada swore retaliation after the United States launched airstrikes...