Three U.S. soldiers lost their lives, and several others were injured in a drone strike near the Syrian border in northeast Jordan, as reported by the U.S. military. President Joe Biden attributed the attack to Iran-backed militias, marking the first U.S. fatalities during months of strikes by these groups against American forces in the Middle East amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.
In response, President Biden pledged to hold those responsible accountable, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized the commitment to taking necessary actions to defend U.S. interests and troops. The U.S. is actively working to identify the specific group responsible for the attack, though it’s assessed to be one of several Iranian-backed factions.
The affected troops were stationed at a base identified as Tower 22 in Jordan, close to the Syrian border. This base is utilized for the advise-and-assist mission for Jordanian forces, and it houses U.S. engineering, aviation, logistics, and security personnel. The strike occurred near the troops’ sleeping quarters, leading to a significant casualty count.
Joe Biden (Credits: Dallas Morning News)
As a precaution, Iran-backed fighters in eastern Syria began evacuating their positions, anticipating potential U.S. airstrikes. The incident adds to the escalating tensions in the region, with concerns about further military escalation.
The U.S. has been a target of multiple attacks by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria, with this strike in Jordan being the first to result in American casualties during the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Jordanian state television reported the attack as happening across the border in Syria. The U.S. military base at al-Tanf in Syria, approximately 20 kilometers north of Tower 22, relies on the Jordanian installation for logistical support.
With a backdrop of ongoing conflicts in Syria and Iraq, as well as geopolitical complexities involving Iran and its proxies, the situation remains tense.
President Biden has been briefed on the matter and expressed a commitment to a deliberate and proportional response. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers criticize the administration’s approach, calling for a major reset of Middle East policy to safeguard national security interests.
