US officials revealed that 34 American soldiers were injured in a drone strike at a small American base in Jordan and three others were killed, according to CNN.
This incident marks the first fatalities of US troops due to hostile action in the Middle East since the Gaza conflict commenced. President Joe Biden, addressing the situation in South Carolina, vowed a response.
The attack at Tower 22, close to the Syria-Jordan border, represents a major intensification in the volatile Middle East situation.
The drone, launched by militants supported by Iran and believed to have originated from Syria, targeted the outpost.
The exact militant group involved has yet to be identified. The US Central Command confirmed the casualties and injuries from the drone strike in northeast Jordan, noting that eight of the injured were evacuated for advanced medical treatment.
There’s an expectation that the number of injured might increase as more personnel report symptoms that could indicate traumatic brain injuries, according to two US officials.
On his part, Biden vowed 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. … [H]ave no doubt – we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing.”
Meanwhile, Iran denied any involvement in the attack, according to news agency IRNA, citing the country’s permanent mission to the United Nations (UN).
