It's unclear if the deployment of 1,500 troops is part of a regular troop rotation or a reinforcement
The New Jersey National Guard is preparing to deploy 1,500 troops to Iraq and Syria amid a spate of attacks on US bases in the two countries that started in mid-October over President Biden’s full-throated support of Israel’s onslaught in Gaza.
It’s unclear if the deployment is part of a scheduled troop rotation or if they’re being sent to reinforce the US military presence in the region. According to the latest figures, there are about 2,500 US troops stationed in Iraq and 900 in Syria, where they back the Kurdish-led SDF, allowing the US to occupy and control about one-third of Syrian territory.
According to the Pentagon, US troops in Iraq and Syria have come under at least 130 rocket, drone, and mortar attacks since October 17, and the attacks have injured 69 American soldiers. An umbrella group of Shia militias that calls itself the Islamic Resistance of Iraq has taken credit for most attacks.
Poster Comment:
Some states are passing legislation against foreign deployments unless war is declared.