The US military has increased the number of soldiers injured in Saturday night's drone attack on a Jordanian military base that killed three people to at least 34, according to a statement released Sunday night.
Eight soldiers required medical evacuation from Jordan to receive more advanced treatment at an undisclosed location, but all were in stable condition, according to the military's Middle East division, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). It is said that there is Said In a statement. At least 350 U.S. Army and Air Force personnel are stationed at the base, known as Tower 22, and are working with the Jordanian military to provide logistics support, including supporting the coalition's efforts to defeat Islamic State, CenterCom said. ing.
Centcom said the number of injured from the attack could rise further if more soldiers start developing symptoms.
U.S. officials said the explosive-laden drone crashed near the base's residential area, causing injuries ranging from minor cuts to brain trauma. Said New York Times. Most of the troops were reservists. (Related article: US talks with Iraqi government to reevaluate partnership against ISIS, may include troop reductions)
In a statement Sunday afternoon, President Joe Biden condemned the attack by Iranian-backed extremists, although the facts of the incident are still being investigated. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also made the announcement. statement It condemned the attack but did not identify the perpetrator or say where the drone originated.
“Three U.S. service members were killed and many others were injured in an unmanned drone attack on U.S. forces stationed in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border,” Biden said. Said. “We are still gathering the facts of this attack, but we know it was carried out by an Iranian-backed extremist group operating in Syria and Iraq.”
Late Sunday, Biden vowed to avenge the loss of three troops.
On September 14, 2022, US soldiers participate in the “Eager Lion'' multinational military exercise in Al-Zarqa Governorate, approximately 85 kilometers northeast of Jordan's capital Amman. – The United States, Jordan, and 28 partner countries are participating. Part of a multinational military exercise to be held from 4 to 15 September 2022, it is one of the largest military exercises in the region and aims to exchange military expertise and improve interoperability between partner countries. It is said that (Photo by: Khalil MAZRAAWI/AFP) (Photo by: KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP, Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, VA – MAY 12: U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (left) defends King Abdullah II of Jordan (right) during an honor guard on May 12, 2022 in Arlington, Virginia. Welcome to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. King Abdullah is in Washington this week to meet with senior US government officials, including President Joe Biden. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
A loose coalition of Iranian-backed militants claimed responsibility for the attack, according to the NYT, calling it “a continuation of our approach to resisting American occupation forces in Iraq and the region.”
Iran denied any connection to Monday's attack, the NYT reported.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Qanani said the militias “receive no orders” from Tehran and oppose “all invasions and occupations” of their own accord, according to the NYT. Accusations that Iran ordered the attack are “baseless” and the US and Israel are using it to further destabilize the region.
Tower 22 is located near Syria's al-Tanf garrison, which has been under repeated attacks by Iranian-backed militants since October 17.
As of Monday, it was still unclear why air defense forces were unable to engage and shoot down the drone.
The Pentagon said Iranian-backed insurgents have attacked U.S. forces based in Iraq and Syria nearly 160 times.
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