A drone strike on a US base near the Syria-Jordan border has resulted in the deaths of three American soldiers and injuries to several others.
US President Joe Biden attributes the strike to “radical groups backed by Iran” and vows to respond accordingly. This incident marks the first American fatalities in the region since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.
Jordan has confirmed that the attack’s location was in Syria, not within Jordanian territory.
Although there have been previous attacks on American bases in the region, this is the first one to result in American casualties, as confirmed by the US military. The perpetrator of this recent attack remains unidentified.
President Biden stated that the US “will hold all those responsible accountable at a time and in a manner of our choosing.”
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and other officials have briefed President Biden about the attack.
“Jill and I join the families and friends of our fallen, as well as Americans across the country, in grieving the loss of these warriors in this despicable and wholly unjust attack,” Mr. Biden said in a statement.
The identities of the deceased and injured service members are yet to be disclosed, pending notification of their families.
During a visit to South Carolina, President Biden commented on the difficult situation in the Middle East, mentioning the loss of three courageous individuals.
US officials report that at least 34 military personnel are being assessed for potential traumatic brain injuries, with some evacuated from the base for further medical care.
The drone reportedly hit the living quarters of the base, which might explain the severity of the casualties.
US Central Command and President Biden initially stated the attack occurred at a base in northeastern Jordan, near Syria. The base was later identified as Tower 22 by US officials.
Muhannad Moubaideen, a Jordanian government spokesperson, clarified on state TV that the strike targeted the al-Tanf base in Syria.
US officials have reported that American bases in Iraq and Syria had been targeted at least 97 times since October 17.
Following an attack in northern Iraq that injured three US servicemembers, one critically, the US conducted airstrikes against groups linked to Iran.
A US strike in Baghdad earlier in January resulted in the death of a militia leader implicated in attacks against US personnel.
Gen. CQ Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated in an interview that America seeks to avoid escalating conflicts in the region.
“The goal is to deter them, and we don’t want to go down a path of greater escalation that leads to a broader conflict within the region.”
US and coalition forces have been deployed to the Red Sea in response to attacks on commercial ships by the Iran-backed Houthis. The Houthis claim these attacks are in support of Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel is engaged with Hamas.
The US military has previously stated that the Houthis’ actions in the Red Sea, which have affected over 40 countries, are unrelated to the Gaza conflict.
Two Navy Seals are believed to have perished after disappearing in January during an operation near Somalia, aimed at intercepting Iranian weapons destined for the Houthis in Yemen.
