From Iran to Africa: Mapping US military operations and combat roles

President Donald Trump, together with Israel, has launched a massive military assault on Iran

• Trump launched Operation Epic Fury with Israel against Iran
• Kuwaiti forces mistakenly shoot down US F-15 jets
• US troops active in Gulf, Ecuador, Somalia, Iraq, Syria, Ukraine

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For years, US President Donald Trump vowed to bring an end to what he described as “forever wars”. He has been portraying himself as a leader opposed to prolonged foreign military entanglements.

However, early in his second term he authorised a large-scale joint military offensive with Israel against Iran. He launched Operation Epic Fury, a campaign of coordinated strikes targeting Iranian targeting its leadership and nuclear and missile infrastructure.

Trump told reporters at the White House last week that he was not pleased with the way that nuclear talks had been going with Iran.

Outside the Iran conflict, the US troops are operating in a high-threat theatre across multiple countries.

According to Al Jazeera, the US has spent an estimated $5.8 trillion funding its more than two decades of conflict.

This includes $2.1 trillion spent by the Department of Defense (DOD), $1.1 trillion by Homeland Security, $884 billion to increase the DOD base budget, $465 billion on veterans’ medical care and an additional $1 trillion in interest payments on loans taken out to fund the wars.

Kuwait

The United States is not formally at war with Kuwait. However, American forces have found themselves operating in an increasingly volatile combat environment over Kuwaiti territory as the wider conflict with Iran intensifies.

The situation escalated earlier this week when three US F-15 fighter jets were accidentally shot down by Kuwaiti air defence systems during ongoing operations aimed at countering Iranian missile and drone threats. The US military officials later confirmed the losses, stating the aircraft were not brought down by hostile Iranian fire but because of a friendly-fire incident amid heightened regional tensions.

Conflict theatre in Gulf states

The US-Iran conflict has led to American military personnel operating across the region in support of combat and defensive missions.

UAE: Iranian missile and drone attacks have reportedly targeted U.S. facilities and diplomatic compounds. This prompted Washington to temporarily close its embassy and place forces on heightened alerts.

Bahrain and Qatar: They are both long-standing hosts of significant US military infrastructure. These bases serve as critical hubs for air, naval and surveillance missions linked to the broader campaign against Iranian targets/.

Saudi Arabia: It remains central to US strategic planning in the Gulf. American forces stationed there are engaged in defence coordination and airspace security operations. With Riyadh viewed by Tehran as aligned with Washington’s military posture, the kingdom’s territory is also considered vulnerable to retaliatory threats.

None of these Gulf states are formally at war with Iran. However, their role as hosts to US military assets has drawn them into the operational theatre of the conflict.

Conducting military operations

Ecuador: US forces are participating in joint operations with Ecuadorian troops targeting narco-terrorism groups and powerful drug trafficking networks. The mission, led by U.S. Southern Command, is aimed at dismantling organised criminal organisations.

Somalia: The American forces continue to conduct targeted counterterrorism strikes against militant groups such as Al-Shabaab and ISIS affiliates.

They are limited counter-terror actions rather than open warfare against the Somali government.

Iraq and Syria: American troops remain deployed here primarily in advisory and support capacities.

Most large-scale combat operations against state forces ended years ago. Currently, US personnel focus on assisting local partners in counter-terrorism efforts, particularly against remnants of ISIS.

Ukraine: The United States provides significant military aid, intelligence sharing and equipment. However, Washington has consistently maintained that no American combat troops are fighting on Ukrainian soil.