US still weighing how to protect troops in Iraq from missiles

US Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman did not elaborate at a press conference Friday but did indicate that America is considering options.

By SETH J. FRANTZMAN
U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo visits Iraq (photo credit: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)
U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo visits Iraq
(photo credit: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)
The US is still trying to determine where to put defensive resources in Iraq to address missile and rocket threats. Up to 34 US soldiers have suffered minor injuries as a result of the Iranian ballistic missile attack earlier this month on a base housing US troops.
One US contractor was killed last month in rocket fire by pro-Iranian militias in Iraq. This exposed the lack of air defense for US troops in Iraq. Now reports say the US is likely to send more defenses to the region.
US Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman did not elaborate at a press conference Friday but did indicate that the US is considering options and that CENTCOM commander Kenneth McKenzie is looking at what might be best. He said there are many threats in the Middle East, including Iranian ballistic missiles. However, there are also Katyusha rocket threats in Iraq as well as drones and cruise missiles that Iran used against Saudi Arabia. Therefore, US commanders “on the ground” must decide.
On January 8, US forces came under fire. They didn’t have anti-missile systems, but that is an option for deployment as a “force protection measure.” The US commanders in the Gulf are now examining what they need, the Pentagon says. Washington is tight-lipped, however, as to what that system might be.
The options currently involve dispersing soldiers and seeking shelter in bunkers. The US has early warning systems so soldiers can disperse. It is looking now at different weapon systems to protect the troops. So far, the American top brass seem to be looking at whether to “make adjustments,” and haven’t actually sent any weapons systems yet.
Fox News reported on Thursday that Patriot batteries could be sent but that there was also a shortage of them. The US also has two Iron Dome batteries it acquired last year. The system, developed in Israel by Rafael with US support, also has an American partner at Raytheon. The US has few other options to defend against smaller rockets and mortars.
Inquiries from The Jerusalem Post to CENTCOM were also made to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, but America is currently not able to discuss specifics on the deployment of additional capabilities to the region.


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