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The Pentagon has confirmed that 8 US service members were injured and treated following a drone attack by an Iranian-backed militia in Syria.

What’s the deal: According to the Pentagon, eight U.S. service members were injured in a drone attack by an Iranian-backed militia at Rumalyn Landing Zone in northeastern Syria. The injuries, which included traumatic brain injuries and smoke inhalation, were not life-threatening. Three of the injured have returned to duty, while the remaining five are still under observation. The strike also damaged facilities at the site.

Digging Deeper: Since the October 7th attack on Israel by Hamas, attacks on U.S. forces in the Middle East have surged. Iranian-backed militias have stepped up their activities, including an August 5th rocket attack on al Asad Air Base in Iraq that injured four U.S. troops and a defense contractor.

Why are US troops in Syria?: US troops in Syria are focused on preventing the resurgence of ISIS and supporting local forces in stabilizing the region. Estimates suggest there are roughly 900 service members primarily engaged in counterterrorism operations with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to disrupt ISIS and secure former strongholds.

More on the SDF: The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are a multi-ethnic military alliance primarily composed of Kurdish, Arab, and Assyrian fighters, with the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) at its core. Formed in 2015, the SDF has been a key US and international coalition partner in the fight against ISIS in Syria. Operating mainly in northeastern Syria, the SDF, despite its effectiveness, faces ongoing threats from regional powers, including Turkey, which views the group as a terrorist organization.