In Columbia, S.C., President Joe Biden stated on Sunday that the U.S. will respond following the death of three American troops and the injury of dozens more in a drone strike in northeast Jordan near the Syrian border. Biden attributed the attack to Iran-backed militias, marking the first American casualties after a series of strikes by such groups against U.S. forces across the Middle East since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict. While attending an event at a Baptist church’s banquet hall, Biden called for a moment of silence to honor the fallen soldiers and emphasized that the U.S. will take action against the perpetrators.
As the risk of military escalation in the region grows, U.S. officials are working to definitively identify the specific group responsible for the attack. However, they have determined that one of several Iranian-backed groups was involved. In a written statement, Biden pledged that the United States “will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing.” Additionally, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin affirmed that they will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, its troops, and its interests.
Following the incident, Iran-backed fighters in east Syria began evacuating their posts due to concerns about potential U.S. airstrikes. The drone strike targeted a logistics support base in Jordan known as Tower 22, which is utilized by troops involved in advising and assisting Jordanian forces. According to U.S. Central Command, at least 34 troops were injured in the attack, with eight being flown out of Jordan for further medical care. The base, which includes U.S. engineering, aviation, logistics, and security troops, is a critical logistical hub for U.S. forces in Syria.
Jordan condemned the attack, emphasizing its commitment to countering terrorism and the smuggling of drugs and weapons across the Syrian border into Jordan. The country’s state-run news agency reported that the drone strike targeted “an outpost on the border with Syria” and did not result in any injuries to Jordanian troops.
Since the outbreak of the conflict in Gaza, Iranian-backed militias have conducted numerous strikes against American military installations in Iraq and Syria. This latest attack is the first to specifically target American troops in Jordan and the first to result in American fatalities. The militias have justified their actions as retaliation for the U.S.’s support for Israel in the Gaza conflict and have expressed their aim to remove U.S. forces from the region.
In response to the U.S. accusation, Iran’s foreign ministry dismissed any involvement in the drone strike and warned against baseless allegations. The U.S. has previously conducted targeted strikes in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen in response to attacks on American forces and to deter Iran-backed Houthi rebels from threatening commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
As the Biden administration determines its course of action, lawmakers have expressed their expectations for a measured and proportional response. Members of Congress have also criticized the administration’s approach, calling for a reevaluation of U.S. policy in the Middle East to safeguard national security interests.
Biden, who was briefed on the situation by top national security officials, condemned the attack as “despicable and wholly unjust,” highlighting the bravery and sacrifice of the service members involved. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges posed by conflict and militia activity in the region, as well as the complex dynamics involving Iran, Syria, and Iraq.
The official outbreak of hostilities in the region underscores the ongoing challenges posed by conflict and militia activity in the region, as well as the complex dynamics involving Iran, Syria, and Iraq.
