Three U.S. service members were killed and at least 34 injured after an unmanned aerial drone attacked U.S. forces near the Syrian border in northeastern Jordan. President Joe Biden attributed the attack to radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq. This marks the first lethal assault on U.S. forces since the Israel-Hamas conflict in October.
President Biden vowed to hold those responsible accountable, stating: “Have no doubt – we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing.”
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin echoed this sentiment, emphasizing a strong response. The drone struck near the barracks early in the morning, potentially explaining the high casualty count.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, comprising Iran-backed militant groups, claimed responsibility for attacks on three bases, including the one on the Jordan-Syria border. The situation escalates tensions in the Middle East, already heightened by the Gaza conflict, which began with Hamas’ attack on Israel in October.
Since the Gaza conflict, U.S. forces have faced over 150 attacks by Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria, causing at least 70 casualties. Additionally, Houthi forces in Yemen, supported by Iran, have targeted U.S. warships passing through Red Sea waters.
Republican critics of President Biden seized on the attack, citing it as evidence of his failure to confront Iran’s proxies. Some called for strong military retaliation against Iran’s terrorist forces. The attack also drew a connection to the Gaza conflict, with a Hamas official stating that the killing of American soldiers sends a message to the U.S. administration regarding the situation in Gaza.
The U.S. military confirmed the attack at an undisclosed base in northeastern Jordan. The Jordanian government referred to it as an attack on an “advanced post” along its border with Syria. Jordan, concerned about the war spreading, had requested additional support from the U.S., including Patriot air defense systems and aid to address drone threats in the region.
(Inputs from Reuters)