Three American Army soldiers have been killed and dozens were injured in a drone attack on a small US outpost in Jordan, US officials told CNN, marking the first time US troops have been killed by enemy fire in the Middle East since the beginning of the Gaza war.
The killing of three Americans at Tower 22 in Jordan near the border with Syria is a significant escalation of an already-precarious situation in the Middle East. Officials said the drone was fired by Iran-backed militants and appeared to come from Syria.
US Central Command confirmed in a statement on Sunday (Monday AEDT) that three service members were killed and 25 injured in a one-way drone attack that "impacted at a base in northeast Jordan."
US President Joe Biden vowed on Sunday to hold those responsible for the attack "to account," saying that while facts are still being gathered,
"We know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq."
"These service members embodied the very best of our nation: Unwavering in their bravery. Unflinching in their duty. Unbending in their commitment to our country — risking their own safety for the safety of their fellow Americans, and our allies and partners with whom we stand in the fight against terrorism. … Have no doubt – we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing."
https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1751667937792967039?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwAs of Friday, there had been more than 158 attacks on US and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria, though officials have described the constant volley of drones, rockets, and missiles as unsuccessful as they have frequently not caused serious injury or damage to infrastructure.
It's unclear why air defences failed to intercept the drone, which appears to be the first known attack on Tower 22 since attacks on US and coalition forces began on October 17. US forces at the outpost are there as part of an advise-and-assist mission with Jordan.
The US has taken several retaliatory actions against the Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria, one as recently as last week, when the US struck three facilities in Iraq used by Kataib Hezbollah and other Iran-affiliated groups.
The killing of three Americans also comes as the US and Iraq are expected to begin talks soon about the future of the US military presence in the country.
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