First map shows the Middle East conflict described by the Pentagon: contained in Gaza—no wider regional war.
The second shows what's played out as Iran + proxies drive a dangerous cycle of escalation, including a large attack today on U.S. forces.
In the past week, since the U.S. & U.K. launched retaliatory strikes against the Houthis in Yemen:
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- On 11 Jan, U.S., U.K., & Allies conducted large-scale strikes against 60+ Houthi targets at 28 locations—for the first time since the conflict began
- Today: large attack on U.S. forces at an airbase in Iraq by Iranian-backed militants
- Iran attacked 3 countries in 48 hours (Pakistan, Iraq, Syria), hijacked a ship & took hostages, & caught sending ballistic missile components to Yemen
- In a proportional tit-for-tat response to Iran's attack, Pakistan struck multiple targets in Iran
- 140+ attacks now on U.S. forces in Iraq & Syria (confirmed by DOD), U.S. responded with precision strikes 10+ times (& gunship sorties)
- The U.S. followed up with an additional 6 rounds of strikes, targeting key Houthi infrastructure
- Houthis continue to attack commercial shipping & U.S. Navy ships, with at least 35 incidents recorded (more than 5 since the 11th)
