Washington intends to deploy a mobile air defense system in Syria and Iraq to protect its forces from the growing drone’s attacks

A report published by the “Forbes” website suggested that the United States of America intends to deploy a mobile defense missile system in Syria and Iraq soon.

The report stated that the “Avenger” short-range air defense missile system is the best readily available system to protect US forces in Syria and Iraq from the increasing threat posed by unmanned aerial vehicles.

In late February, pictures appeared on social media, allegedly showing the transport of the “Avenger” system on a highway from Iraq to Syria. 

It is likely that it was transferred to the American forces in the Deir al Zour region in eastern Syria.

With the FIM-92 Stinger missile launchers, the Avenger is designed to protect pedestrians from low-flying aircraft, cruise missiles, helicopters, and drones.

Until early last year, the bases hosting US forces in Iraq did not have air defense systems. 

Its weakness was demonstrated when Iran attacked two of them with ballistic missiles in January 2020, in a retaliatory strike in response to the US assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani by a drone near Baghdad International Airport.

Since then, the United States has deployed high-altitude “MIM-104” Patriot missiles to these bases, along with short-range “C-RAM” systems (anti-missile, artillery and mortar shells).

However, it can be said that the “Avenger” is a more suitable system for providing protection to ground forces against drones.

In early 2020, US forces deployed in the oil fields in Deir al Zour were targeted by unmanned aircraft capable of dropping small mortar shells and ammunition, which was apparently manufactured using a 3D printer.

While the attackers failed to kill or injure any American, they demonstrated the nature of this new threat that US forces now have to deal with.