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Iran tensions in the Middle East Oct 7 onwards

Updated: Dec 31, 2023

October 7

Hamas launches massive attack on Israel, killing 1,300, thousands injured.


October 15

Iran FM and Hamas leader agree continued cooperation in Qatar.


October 16

Israel and Hezbollah continue exchange limited fire everyday.


The Houthis in Yemen put out a statement backing Hamas and Iran said the time for “political solutions” was running out; Iran IRGC head Hossein Salami described the conflict as “global” while Iran's Foreign Minister, after his trip to Qatar and Lebanon, discussed the expansion of the war while Iranian Tasnim media claimed the US was now involved in the war.


Israeli media reported that air defenses were activated in Damascus. This is the fourth reported incident in Syria since October 7, after airstrikes were reported in Aleppo and Damascus on the 12th and on Aleppo on the 15th.


October 17


Rudaw: "US army on Wednesday announced destroying and damaging three drones in Iraq, adding that the attacks caused “minor injuries” to the global coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS) forces."


AP: "Two drones targeted the al Asad airbase in western Iraq used by U.S. forces and one drone targeted a base in northern Iraq, a U.S. official told the Associated Press. U.S. forces intercepted all three, destroying two but only damaging the third, which led to minor injuries among coalition forces at the western base, according to a statement Wednesday by U.S. Central Command."


October 19


VOA: "Iran-backed groups blew up a gas pipeline in Syria's Kurdish-controlled northeast near a U.S. base Thursday, a war monitor said, as regional tensions grew following Israel's war with Gaza-based militants."


Alma: Initial reports that US forces have come under attack at the Al Omar oil field in northeastern Syria from projectiles impacting their position. Earlier, the Al Assad Air Base hosting US Forces in Iraq had repelled a UAV attack, and other American units at Al Tanf, Syria, and Conico gas field also came under rocket fire. All from the territory of proxies under the #IRGCterrorists


CNN: Incident involving US warship intercepting missiles "near Yemen lasted 9 hours; A US warship that intercepted drones and missiles near the coast of Yemen on Thursday encountered a larger and more sustained barrage than was previously known, shooting down 4 cruise missiles and 15 drones over a period of 9 hours, according to a US official familiar with the situation. The USS Carney, an Arleigh-Burke class destroyer that traversed the Suez Canal heading south on Wednesday, intercepted the missiles and drones as they were heading north along the Red Sea. "


AP: "A military base in southern Syria where U.S. troops have maintained a presence to train forces as part of a broad campaign against the Islamic State group was attacked by drones on Thursday, two U.S. officials told The Associated Press. The al-Tanf garrison in southeastern Syria is located at a sensitive juncture often used by Iranian-backed militants to ferry weapons to Hezbollah. Syrian opposition activists also said Thursday a drone attack was conducted on an oil facility in eastern Syria that houses American troops."


October 21

Barrons: "A suicide drone hit an airbase in Iraq hosting US troops on Saturday, Iraqi security sources said, but the Pentagon said it could not confirm that such an attack took place." More: "The drone came down inside the (Ain al-Assad) base" in the western province of Anbar, without causing any casualties or damage, a military source told AFP on condition of anonymity.


A drone also targeted Erbil. This is in addition to all the other attacks.




October 22

Israel evacuates 14 more communities in north.


Syria says Israel struck Aleppo and Damascus airports.


Reuters: “Katyusha rockets on Sunday targeted the Ain al-Asad air base, which hosts U.S. and other international forces in western Iraq, and one blast was heard inside the base, two army sources said. On Saturday, defense systems at Ain al-Asad intercepted and shot down two drones while they were hovering near the base. Ain al-Asad air base is located in the western Anbar province.”


November 8


Following a series of attacks against U.S. persons in Iraq and Syria, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces conducted an air strike against a facility in Syria used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated groups. We will take all necessary measures to defend our people against those who are responsible for the attacks and will respond at a time and place of our choosing. "2 US F15s carried out airstrikes on IRGC and Iranian proxy facility in E Syria in response to 41 attacks on U.S. bases since Oct 17. Defense Secretary Austin said the target was a weapons storage facility, adding the U.S. military will take further action if attacks continue."

US to transfer $320 million to Israel worth of weapons, including SPICE smart bombs from Rafael.


November 9


Reuters; Hezbollah anti-ship missiles can threaten US Navy.


Arouri says Hezbollah 'brothers' are reliable.

Houthis shoot down US drone.


Iraqi militias target US base.


Hezbollah discussed joint operations with Hamas, etc


A total of 46 attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria, 4 since the strikes on November 8; US says that this included wounded at Green Village in Syria. Hariri base targeted. Coalition base Erbil targeted and Reuters says a "joint patrol" was also targeted near Mosul.


Reuters: A joint patrol of U.S. forces and the Iraqi counter-terrorism service was targeted by an explosive device near the northern city of Mosul on Thursday, causing damage to a vehicle but no casualties, two security sources said.


November 16

Houthis threaten Israeli ships in Red Sea


Iran discusses new Simorgh space launch vehicle.


Germany targets Hezbollah center

November 20

US carries out airstrikes in Iraq. Details. Iran media denies rumors of leaders of PMU targeted.

Israel weighs ceasefire deal. Details.

Houthis seize ship in Red Sea. Hezbollah praises the operation. Houthi forces boarding the cargo ship Galaxy Leader on Sunday.



November 20

Syria accuses Israel of airstrikes near Damascus.

Iran media claims more attacks on US troops.

"The strike by fighter aircraft targeted and destroyed a Kataeb Hezbollah operations center and a Kataeb Hezbollah Command and Control node near Al Anbar and Jurf al Saqr, south of Baghdad, a U.S. defense official said."


November 24

TOI: The Central Park seizure comes after a container ship, CMA CGM Symi, owned by an Israeli billionaire came under attack Friday by a suspected Iranian drone in the Indian Ocean, an American defense official said Saturday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity as he is not allowed to discuss intelligence matters. It was allegedly attacked by a Shahed 136 drone.




November 26

Israel accused of strikes in Damascus at airport.


Iran and Turkey agree to mutual stance against Israel.


TOI: "Attackers seized a tanker linked to Israel off the coast of Aden, Yemen, on Sunday, authorities said. While no group immediately claimed responsibility, it comes as at least two other maritime attacks in recent days have been linked to the Israel-Hamas war, even as both sides observe a four-day ceasefire. The attackers seized the Liberian-flagged Central Park, managed by Zodiac Maritime, in the Gulf of Aden, the company and private intelligence firm Ambrey said. An American defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters, also confirmed the attack took place."


December 3


US targets Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq.


USS Carney targeted by drones, five hours spent intercepting threats. Two commercial ships targeted; Unity Explorer ship (owned by Anglo Eastern) with an Anti-Ship missile and Number 9 ship (operated by ZIM). CENTCOM: "Today, there were four attacks against three separate commercial vessels operating in international waters in the southern Red Sea. These three vessels are connected to 14 separate nations. The Arleigh-Burke Class destroyer USS CARNEY responded to the distress calls from the ships and provided assistance. "


Attack on Erbil by PMU.


New attacks on Green village claimed.


Hamas threatens UK. HMS Diamond on way to region from Gibralter.


Dec 10

Airstrikes reported in Damascus


Dec 18


Airstrikes near Damascus.


Austin in region to weigh new maritime force in Red Sea.


Clashes between Jordan and Syrian smugglers


IDF: A short while ago, a number of launches from Syria toward Israel were identified. The launches fell in open areas. An alert was activated concerning the open areas on the Home Front Command app.

In response, IDF artillery struck the sources of fire in Syria, and IDF tanks struck a military post belonging to the Syrian army.

Furthermore, earlier today, a number of launches from Lebanon toward the area of Kiryat Shemona were identified.


Dec 20 Syrian opposition says a blast occured near Damascus airport.




Dec 25 IRGC officer Razi Mousavi assassinated in Damascus.


December 28

Airstrikes reported in Damascus.


December 30 "Of the 14 rockets, 12 rockets and 3 attack drones fired by Iranian proxies at two U.S. bases in Syria, none hit the U.S. bases and no injuries or damage at the U.S. bases in Syria occurred, acc to a senior U.S. defense official."


Reports of strikes in eastern Syria.


Iran "surging" weapons transfers to Hezbollah.


December 31


Reports of strikes in eastern Syria







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