The first death occurred in an attack by a pro-Iranian armed group at a U.S. military unit stationed in Jordan. The U.S. government declared retaliation, saying it would hold accountable.
U.S. President Joe Biden announced in a statement on the 28th (local time) that three U.S. soldiers were killed and several were injured after being attacked by a drone the night before at Tower 22, a U.S. military garrison in northern Jordan close to the Syrian border.
President Biden said, “We are still confirming the facts of this attack, but we do know that it was carried out by extremist militias sponsored by Iran and operating in Syria and Iraq.”
He continued, “We will not stop this fight,” and “We will continue their (sacrifice soldiers’) belief in fighting terrorism.”
“We will hold people accountable for this attack when and how we choose,” President Biden said. “There is no doubt about that,” he said, vowing revenge.
On this day, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also said in a separate statement, “The President and I will not tolerate attacks on U.S. troops,” and “We will take all necessary measures to protect the United States, our troops, and our national interests.”
According to the New York Times (NYT), the United States is stationing a total of 3,000 troops in Jordan, including 2,000 at Jordan’s Azrak Air Force Base and 1,000 at Tower 22, which was attacked by the militia.
In particular, it is reported that special operations forces and military trainers and personnel supporting the U.S. military base in Al Tanf, Syria, are deployed at Tower 22, which was hit by the drone attack.
Initially, the U.S. Central Command reported that 25 people were injured in the attack, but U.S. officials later reported that at least 34 soldiers were injured and 3 were killed.
Pro-Iranian armed groups in Syria and Iraq have continued to attack US troops stationed in the Middle East since Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7 last year.
In response to this attack, the United States last week carried out airstrikes on three military facilities in Iraq that were used by Hezbollah and groups linked to Iran. Additionally, airstrikes were conducted on major bases of Houthi rebels in Yemen supported by Iran.
Choi Jae-ho,
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.