CONFLICTSJORDAN
US Soldiers killed in drone attack in Jordan
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President Joe Biden blamed Iran-backed groups for the attack on a US base in northeast Jordan and has vowed reprisals.
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U.S. President Joe Biden speaks in the White House in October, 2023
US President Joe Biden said those responsible for the attack will be held to accountImage: Jonathan Ernst/REUTERS
Three United States service members were killed and “many” wounded Saturday in an drone attack on US forces stationed in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border, US Central Command said.
President Joe Biden on Sunday blamed Iran-backed groups for the attack and has vowed reprisals.
“While we are still gathering the facts of this attack, we know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq,” Biden said in a statement released by the White House.
Speaking to Jordanian public broadcaster al-Mamlaka, Muhannad Mubaidin, a government spokesman, insisted the attack happened outside of the kingdom across the border in Syria. US officials insisted that the attack took place in Jordan.
Latest in a series of attacks on US and allied forces
The tensions in the region have been rising since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war, and the attack may exacerbate the situation.
The deaths were the first fatalities of US troops in the region since the conflict began.
There had been over 150 attacks on US and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria since the war began, the Pentagon said. In response, Washington has carried out retaliatory strikes in both countries.
Many of the attacks on US personnel have been claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a loose alliance of Iran-linked armed groups that oppose US support for Israel in the Gaza conflict.
“We will carry on their commitment to fight terrorism. And have no doubt – we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing,” Biden said.
US troops have long been based in Jordan, up to 3,000 American soldiers are typically are stationed there.
This is a developing story more to follow…
jcg/lo (AP, Reuters, AFP)
