In a recent incident, President Joe Biden has attributed the attack that claimed the lives of three US troops in Jordan and left numerous others injured to Iran-backed militants, according to media reports. The drone strike targeted US forces stationed in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border. While still gathering information, Biden stated that the assault was carried out by radical Iran-backed groups operating in Syria and Iraq.
In a press release on January 28, President Biden affirmed the United States' commitment to combating terrorism. He emphasized that those responsible for the attack would be held accountable at a time and in a manner chosen by the US. The incident occurred late on January 27, with at least 34 personnel being evaluated for traumatic brain injuries, as reported by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Republican Senator Tom Cotton, a critic of Biden, called for decisive military retaliation against Iran's terrorist forces, stating that anything less would brand Biden as a coward. Jordan condemned the attack as a "terrorist attack" on a military site, expressing cooperation with the US to strengthen border defenses.
Initially, there was confusion about the location of the attack, with a government spokesperson in Amman claiming it was on a US base in Syria just across the border. The incident reportedly took place at Tower 22, hosting a contingent of US troops inside Jordan along the Syria border. Jordan, a close ally of the US in the Middle East, hosts around 3,000 Pentagon troops, often supporting actions in Syria.
If confirmed to be in Jordan, this attack would mark the first targeting of US troops in the country since the beginning of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Observers are concerned about a potential escalation of conflict in the Middle East, particularly after the outbreak of hostilities in Gaza following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7.
It's worth noting that due to its support for Israel, US forces in the Middle East have been targeted by various Islamist groups, including Iranian-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen and militia groups in Iraq supported by Tehran. The situation remains complex, and investigations are ongoing to gather more details about this recent attack.
(With Agency Inputs)
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