A US Navy warship has shot down missiles possibly headed for Israel as American forces in the Middle East have also been targeted by drone strikes, fuelling fears the Gaza conflict could spread.
Rockets were fired at military facilities hosting US forces in Iraq and Syria following warnings over Washington’s support for Israel against Hamas.
Meanwhile, the USS Carney, a destroyer in the northern Red Sea, intercepted three land attack cruise missiles and several drones that were launched by Houthi forces in Yemen.
The military intervention may be the first shots fired by the US military in defence of Israel in the war.
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Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said the missiles were “potentially” headed toward Israel but said the US has not completed its assessment of what was being targeted.
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A US official said they do not believe the missiles – which were shot down over the water – were aimed at the warship.
Separately, it was confirmed a string of drone strikes had been carried out on US military installations where troops train local defence forces and support efforts to tackle the Islamic State group.
The most recent attacks targeted the al Asad air base in western Iraq.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq posted a statement claiming responsibility, saying they had fired a salvo of rockets at the base and “they hit their targets directly and precisely”.
A US official confirmed the latest attack but said it was too early to assess any impact.
US military vehicles at the al Asad airbase in Iraq
A site near Baghdad’s international airport was also hit, although no casualties were reported.
The al Tanf garrison in southeastern Syria was also struck by drones on Thursday.
The Pentagon said one drone was shot down, but another hit the base and caused minor injuries.
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The attacks come in the wake of a deadly explosion at a Gaza hospital, triggering protests in a number of Muslim nations.
The Israeli military has launched a sustained offensive against Hamas in Gaza in retaliation for the devastating attack by the militant group almost two weeks ago.
But Israel has denied responsibility for the al Ahli hospital blast and the US has said its intelligence assessment found Tel Aviv was not to blame.
In recent days, a number of militant groups across the region – from Hezbollah to the Houthis – have expressed support for the Palestinians and threatened Israel.
The latest strikes will fan concerns the war in Israel could expand into a larger regional conflict.
“That’s exactly what we are trying to prevent,” Mr Ryder said.