Biden vows to avenge killing of 3 U.S. troops in Middle East
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Three U.S. service members were killed on Sunday and at least 34 wounded in a drone attack on a U.S. base in northeastern Jordan, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
CENTCOM confirmed in a statement that three service members were killed and at least 34 injured in a one-way drone attack on Tower 22, a small US outpost “in northeast Jordan,” adding that eight injured service members were medically evacuated to receive “higher-level care.”
Iran has denied any involvement in the attack, as reported by the state news agency IRNA, citing Iran’s permanent mission to the United Nations.
“Iran had no connection and had nothing to do with the attack on the U.S. base,” the mission said in a statement published by IRAN agency.
Iran’s denial came after the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iranian-backed militias, claimed responsibility for a series of attacks along the Syrian-Jordanian border, including the targeting of Rukban camp.
The Iranian-backed militia confirmed in its statement that it will continue to launch its attacks against American bases in support of the Gaza Strip.
However, Jordanian Minister of Government Communications, Muhannad Mubaidin, told the state-run al-Mamlaka TV that the attack did not occur on Jordanian soil but rather targeted the U.S. base of al-Tanf in southern Syria near the shared border with Iraq and Jordan.
In response to the attack, U.S. President Joe Biden stated, “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.”
“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 added in his statement released by the White House.
Similarly, Vice President Kamala Harris stated on X, “We will continue to fight terrorism, and we will hold all those responsible to account.”
Republican Senator Tom Cotton, in a statement published on X, called for a “devastating military retaliation against Iran’s terrorist forces, both in Iran and across the Middle East.”
The Biden administration has been criticized, primarily by Republicans, for not taking strong enough action against Iranian-backed militias for their attacks. Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, wrote on X platform, “Hit Iran now. Hit them hard.”
“The Biden Administration can take out all the Iranian proxies they like, but it will not deter Iranian aggression. I am calling on the Biden Administration to strike targets of significance inside Iran, not only as reprisal for the killing of our forces, but as deterrence against future aggression,” Graham said.
The drone strike took place in a time where attacks against U.S. bases in the Middle East are on the rise. These attacks are believed to be carried out by Iranian-backed militias and proxies. The frequency of these attacks has increased since the war between Israel and Hamas started in October 2023.
The killing of three Americans soldiers coincides with upcoming talks between the U.S. and Iraq regarding the ending of the American military presence there and transitioning to bilateral relations.