In a drone strike near Jordan's border with Syria, three US troops were killed, and dozens were injured. President Joe Biden attributed the attack to "radical Iran-backed militant groups" and pledged a response. The strike targeted a US base in northeastern Jordan, near the Syrian border, named Tower 22. While the Jordanian government stated that the attack occurred in Syria at the al-Tanf base, discrepancies exist.
The casualties included at least 34 military personnel being evaluated for possible traumatic brain injury, with the drone striking living quarters possibly explaining the high number of casualties. President Biden expressed condolences and vowed accountability for those responsible. The names of the servicemen killed and injured have not been released.
This incident follows a series of attacks on US bases in the region. In December, there were 97 reported attacks on US bases in Iraq and Syria. Last month, US airstrikes targeted Iran-affiliated groups in response to a drone attack in northern Iraq that injured three servicemembers. Additionally, a retaliatory US strike in Baghdad killed a militia leader accused of orchestrating attacks on US personnel.
Amid these escalations, Gen CQ Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, emphasized the goal of deterring conflict escalation in the region. The US and coalition troops stationed in the Red Sea confront challenges from Iran-backed Houthis targeting commercial ships. The Houthis claim support for Palestinians in Gaza, but the US military contends that these actions are unrelated to the Gaza conflict.
Notably, two Navy Seals are presumed dead after a January mission off the coast of Somalia aimed at intercepting Iranian-made weapons destined for the Houthis in Yemen. The situation underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the Middle East and the challenges faced by US forces in the region.