Why are there American bases in the Middle East?

Aerial view of the US military post known as Tower 22, Jordan

The base, which was hit by a deadly drone strike in a northwestern corner of Jordan, is one of hundreds of bases where US military personnel operate in Iraq, Jordan and Syria.

In recent months, these bases, ranging in size from a military outpost like "Tower 22" to Al Asad Air Base in western Iraq - have been attacked by militias trained, funded and equipped by Iran, the BBC reports.

There are about 3,000 US troops based in Jordan, a key US ally, and 2,500 in Iraq - there at the invitation of the Iraqi government as part of a US-led coalition to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State group. Islamic, which still has a presence there after being toppled in 2017.

There are also about 900 US personnel in Syria to support its anti-IS ally, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in Syria's semi-autonomous northeastern region.

The Syrian government opposes the US presence in its country, calling it an occupation.

The US also maintains many other bases further afield in the Middle East, including three major air bases in the Gulf and a port in Bahrain, which serves as the headquarters for US Naval Forces Central Command and the US's Fifth Fleet. USA./ CNA

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