Iranian strikes force US troops to operate from hotels

In response to US–Israeli operations, Iran has targeted US bases in the Middle East, forcing American troops to operate from hotels and office buildings, according to The New York Times. About 40,000 US personnel were in the region at the start of the conflict.

‘Yes, we have the ability to set up rapid operations centres, but we absolutely lose capacity. You can’t put all that equipment on the roof of a hotel, for example,’ said Sergeant Wes J. Bryant, a retired US Air Force special operations specialist.

The US has struck more than 7,000 targets in Iran, according to US officials. The conflict is now in its fourth week and is being fought largely at a distance through air operations. Iran has responded by launching hundreds of drones and missiles at military sites, hitting bases in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

At least six US soldiers have been killed in the attacks, with others injured. Radar systems, communications equipment, and aircraft maintenance and fuel infrastructure have been damaged. Iranian-backed groups have also attacked targets in Iraq.

US sources indicate that several of the 13 bases in the region are temporarily uninhabitable. At the same time, the Pentagon is reinforcing air defences. The Iranian side has called on civilians to report the location of US troops.

(max)