[중동전쟁 미군 첫 사망]
A strategic point bordering three countries including Syria
350 troops… The deployed weapon is unknown.
Tower 22, a US military base in northeastern Jordan where three US soldiers were killed and dozens injured in an attack by a pro-Iranian armed group on the 28th (local time), is located at a strategic point in the Middle East where the borders of Syria, Iraq, and Jordan meet. This place has played a role in keeping nearby pro-Iranian armed forces in check. There is an interpretation that this is why it became the target of attack.
In southern Syria, near Tower 22, there is the Al-Tanf US military base, which played a key role in the 2017 war between the US-led international coalition forces and the extremist militant group Islamic State (IS). Even after the defeat of IS, the United States stationed about 900 troops in the area, and continues to play a role in suppressing the military buildup of pro-Iranian forces in eastern Syria. Reuters analyzed that Tower 22 also supported the Al-Tanf base and was responsible for keeping pro-Iran forces and IS remnants in check.
According to the Washington Post, about 350 troops are stationed at Tower 22. However, it is not yet known what weapons were deployed or what problems occurred that caused such great damage.
Andrew Tabler, a senior researcher at the U.S. Institute for Near East Policy who served as the head of Syria policy at the White House National Security Council (NSC) during the Donald Trump administration, told the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), “(This attack) caught the U.S. off guard,” and added, “Tower 22 is an Altan.” “The defense capability is weak compared to other U.S. military bases,” he pointed out. He also said, “It is highly likely that (this attack) was aimed at driving American troops out of Syria.”
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.