US Army Reinforces its Defense in Eastern Syria

A US military patrol in northeastern Syria. AFP file photo
A US military patrol in northeastern Syria. AFP file photo
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US Army Reinforces its Defense in Eastern Syria

A US military patrol in northeastern Syria. AFP file photo
A US military patrol in northeastern Syria. AFP file photo

The mobile short-range AN/TWQ-1 Avenger air defense missile system is probably the best readily available system for protecting US troops in Syria and Iraq from the growing threat posed to them by enemy drones, according to Forbes.

In late February, photos purportedly showing Avengers being transported on a highway from Iraq to Syria emerged on social media. They were likely being brought to US troops in Syria’s eastern Deir Ezzor region.

With its FIM-92 Stinger missile launchers, the Avenger is designed for protecting infantry against low-flying aircraft, cruise missiles, helicopters, and drones.

“Until early last year, bases hosting US troops in Iraq had no air defense systems. Their vulnerability was demonstrated when Iran attacked two of them with ballistic missiles in January 2020, in a retaliatory strike for the US assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike.

The US has since deployed high-altitude MIM-104 Patriot missiles to these bases alongside short-range C-RAM (Counter-rocket, artillery, and mortar) systems, according to the website.

However, the Avenger is arguably a much more suitable system for providing ground forces protection against drones.

In early 2020, US troops deployed in Deir Ezzor’s oil fields were targeted by improvised drones capable of dropping small mortars, munitions which were apparently made using a 3D printer.

In a related context, Iran may seek to conduct or encourage limited, deniable attacks against US forces in response to perceived support to strikes on regional Iranian-affiliated targets, and to pressure the withdrawal of US forces from Syria, according to the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).

The DIA’s findings were cited in the quarterly report of the inspector general of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), which covers events from late 2020.

The DIA reported that “Russia continued to conduct strikes against ISIS across Syria this quarter in support of the Syrian regime’s counterterrorism efforts.”

It said Iran has continued to maintain a presence in former ISIS territory in eastern Syria in part to protect its logistics routes and also to degrade ISIS’s operational capabilities.

“As the ISIS threat diminishes in Syria, Iran is prioritizing other goals, including pushing the United States out of the region and cementing its influence in the country,” the DIA added.

According to the report, although Iranian leaders were wary of escalating tensions with the United States before the US presidential transition, Iran likely continues to develop plans for operations against American positions across the region, including in Syria.

The DIA assessed that Iranian-affiliated forces probably retain the ability to attack US interests and partners in Syria with little warning.

It noted that Tehran has attempted to recruit local Syrians to collect intelligence on US and Coalition forces in Syria and could attempt to leverage these individuals to conduct attacks on its behalf.



Israeli Strikes Kill at Least 72 People in Gaza

Mourners carry the body of a Palestinian killed in an Israeli strike near a school sheltering displaced people, according to Gaza’s health ministry, near the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Mourners carry the body of a Palestinian killed in an Israeli strike near a school sheltering displaced people, according to Gaza’s health ministry, near the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
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Israeli Strikes Kill at Least 72 People in Gaza

Mourners carry the body of a Palestinian killed in an Israeli strike near a school sheltering displaced people, according to Gaza’s health ministry, near the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Mourners carry the body of a Palestinian killed in an Israeli strike near a school sheltering displaced people, according to Gaza’s health ministry, near the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas

Israeli strikes killed at least 72 people across Gaza overnight and into Saturday, health workers said, as ceasefire prospects were said to be improving after 21 months of war.

Three children and their parents were killed in an Israeli strike on a tent camp in Muwasi near the southern city of Khan Younis. They were struck while sleeping, relatives said.

“What did these children do to them? What is their fault?” said the children’s grandmother, Suad Abu Teima, as others knelt to kiss their bloodied faces and wept. Some placed red flowers into the body bags.

Also among the dead were 12 people near the Palestine Stadium in Gaza City, which was sheltering displaced people, and eight more in apartments, according to staff at Shifa Hospital. More than 20 bodies were taken to Nasser Hospital, according to health officials.

A midday strike killed 11 people on a street in eastern Gaza City, and their bodies were taken to Al-Ahli Hospital. Another strike on a gathering in eastern Gaza City killed eight including five children, the hospital said. A strike on a gathering at the entrance to the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza killed two, according to Al-Awda Hospital.

US President Donald Trump says there could be a ceasefire agreement within the next week. Taking questions from reporters on Friday, he said, “We’re working on Gaza and trying to get it taken care of.”

An official with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer will arrive in Washington next week for talks on a Gaza ceasefire, Iran and other subjects. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas have been on again, off again since Israel broke the latest ceasefire in March, continuing its military campaign in Gaza and furthering the territory's dire humanitarian crisis. Some 50 hostages remain in Gaza, fewer than half believed to still be alive. They were among 251 hostages taken when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, sparking the war.