Iran retaliation feared: US reinforces Syria bases
Shafaq News/ The US military has raised alert levels at several bases in Syria amid escalating fears of Iranian escalation following Israel's Operation Rising Lion, which targeted Iranian nuclear and military facilities, a Syrian source told Shafaq News on Saturday.
US forces recently moved advanced radar and air defense systems from Iraq into northeastern Syria. The two-week operation involved over 100 trucks crossing the al-Waleed border into Hasakah province.
Late Friday, flares illuminated the sky above the Khrab al-Jeer base near Rmelan—previously hit by rocket and drone attacks allegedly launched from Iraqi territory—as US defenses reportedly intercepted an Iranian drone targeting the site.
Security concerns are intensifying as regional actors fear Iran-aligned groups, particularly factions within the Axis of Resistance, may once again launch attacks from Iraqi territory targeting US positions inside Syria.
US troops at key locations—including al-Shaddadi, Deir ez-Zor, and al-Tanf in southeastern Homs—have been placed on high alert, with heightened security measures in place across all installations.
While US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Israel acted independently, he noted Washington was informed in advance and warned Tehran against striking US personnel or assets in response.
Meanwhile, an Iraqi security official told Shafaq News that over 700 US nationals—mostly embassy staff and contractors—have been evacuated from the US Embassy in Baghdad over the past 48 hours as a precaution.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Israel strikes fuel depot in Tehran
Shafaq News/ Israel launched a fresh wave of airstrikes on Iran early Sunday, targeting a major fuel storage facility in the capital Tehran, igniting massive explosions and raising fears of wider unrest. Israeli media outlets reported a large fire at an oil facility in the Shahran district, west of the capital, following the strike. The targeted facility produces seven million liters of fuel daily, serving as a critical supply hub for the capital's energy needs. The New York Times, citing an Iranian Oil Ministry official, reported that the explosions were caused by an Israeli strike on Tehran's main fuel depot. Iranian officials reportedly fear the attacks on vital oil and gas infrastructure could spark public unrest or fresh waves of anti-government protests. The Israeli army said its latest round of strikes targeted the Ministry of Defense, nuclear research facilities, and strategic oil infrastructure in Tehran, in what it called a direct response to Iran's missile barrage late Saturday. Earlier, the Israeli military said it had intercepted multiple missiles launched from inside Iran, confirming that air defenses were 'operating in real time.' The military also issued an urgent nationwide alert, ordering residents in central and northern Israel to remain in protected areas. Israeli media reported that nearly 40 missiles were fired from Iran toward Haifa, although no official figures were released on damage or casualties amid strict security censorship. The escalation comes less than 48 hours after Israel conducted airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites, killing senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Iran retaliated with drones and missile salvos targeting Israel's interior, marking one of the most severe confrontations between the two arch-rivals in years.
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Israel targets Houthi Chief in Yemen strike
Shafaq News/ The Israeli Air Force has launched a series of strikes on Houthi-controlled ports in Yemen, targeting what it claims are launch sites for attacks against the country, Israeli media reported on Sunday. Israel attempted to assassinate Mohammed Abdul Karim al-Ghamari, Chief of Staff of the Houthi forces, in a strike inside Yemeni territory. It remains unclear whether al-Ghamari was hit or who else was present at the time of the attack. The operation followed an earlier evacuation order issued by the Israeli military for the ports of Ras Issa, Hodeidah, and As-Salif. Military spokesperson Avichay Adraee labeled the sites 'active threats,' urging individuals to vacate the areas without delay. #عاجل تحذير لكل المتواجدين في الموانئ البحرية التي يسيطر عليها النظام الحوثي الإرهابي⭕️ميناء رأس عيسى⭕️ميناء الحديدة⭕️ميناء الصليف🔴أمامكم تحذير هام وعاجل🔴نظرًا لقيام النظام الحوثي الإرهابي باستخدام الموانئ البحرية لصالح أنشطته الإرهابية نحث جميع المتواجدين في هذه الموانئ… — افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) May 11, 2025 Details regarding the scale or impact of the strikes have not yet been disclosed. The Houthis are yet to comment on the incident. The warning came as Houthis launched on Friday a missile and drone barrage, which targeted Ben Gurion Airport and a strategic location in Yaffa. That attack followed earlier Israeli air raids on the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, which hit strategic infrastructure including the international airport, power grids, and industrial complexes. Houthis have maintained a campaign of missile and drone attacks against Israel, which the group claims are in response to Israel's ongoing war in Gaza that killed over 61,709 civilians and injured more than 111,588.
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Iran strikes Israel with missile barrage, Israel hits back in Tehran
Shafaq News/ Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles and drones at Israel on Saturday evening, triggering nationwide air raid sirens and sending civilians across the country into shelters, as the conflict between the two rivals spiraled into direct confrontation. The Israeli army confirmed that multiple missiles had been launched from Iranian territory and that air defense systems were 'engaging threats in real time.' Yedioth Ahronoth reported that rockets struck the cities of Haifa and Tamra, while Channel 12 confirmed that dozens of projectiles targeted the Haifa metropolitan area and Krayot region. Initial reports suggest damage, though Israeli officials have yet to confirm casualties or provide a full assessment of the strikes' impact. Channel 12 also reported that the Israeli military is simultaneously carrying out airstrikes on military targets in Tehran, signaling a rapid and direct response to Iran's missile offensive. Iranian state television announced that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had launched a 'coordinated aerial attack' involving ballistic missiles and drones as part of True Promise 3, Iran's declared retaliation for Israel's recent bombing campaign. The events come less than 48 hours after Israeli warplanes struck nuclear and military facilities inside Iran, killing senior IRGC commanders and top nuclear scientists, and inflicting damage on infrastructure at Natanz and Isfahan.
