President Biden made a statement on Sunday in response to the deaths of three American troops and the injuring of dozens more in an overnight drone strike in northeast Jordan near the Syrian border. The President suggested that Iran-backed militias were responsible for the attack, marking the first U.S. fatalities after months of strikes against American forces in the Middle East.
Biden, who was traveling in South Carolina, called for a moment of silence during an appearance at a Baptist church’s banquet hall and stated, “We had a tough day last night in the Middle East. We lost three brave souls in an attack on one of our bases.” He then added, “and we shall respond.”
U.S. officials worked to identify the precise group behind the attack, but they assessed that one of several Iranian-backed groups was responsible. The attack took place at Tower 22, a military base in northeastern Jordan used by U.S. forces involved in advising and assisting Jordanian forces.
As a response, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that the U.S. will take necessary actions to defend the nation, its troops, and its interests. Meanwhile, Iran-backed fighters in east Syria have evacuated their posts, fearing U.S. airstrikes.
The drone strike at Tower 22 resulted in three American deaths and more than 30 injuries. Additional U.S. troops were flown out of Jordan for follow-up care, with some described to be in stable condition. The attack took place amid the ongoing war in Gaza, with Iran-backed militias targeting American military installations in Iraq and Syria multiple times.
The U.S. military base at al-Tanf in Syria is near Tower 22, and Jordanian officials condemned the terrorist attack that targeted U.S. troops. Jordan is a crucial Western ally with significant influence in the region.
In the aftermath of the attack, President Biden was briefed by his national security team and expressed his commitment to continuing the fight against terrorism. He called the attack “despicable and wholly unjust” and pledged to hold those responsible to account.
The ongoing conflict in Syria involves Iranian-backed forces and has also seen Jordan launch airstrikes to disrupt drug smugglers. The situation remains tense, with the U.S. in recent months striking targets in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen to respond to attacks and deter further aggression.
As the Biden administration considers its response, tensions are high in the region, with Republican lawmakers calling for a major reset of U.S. Middle East policy to protect national security interests.
This latest attack has added to the longstanding conflict in the region and is a reminder of the ongoing regional instability. As the U.S. considers its next steps, the focus remains on understanding the situation and protecting American troops and interests in the Middle East.