U.S. Troops Targeted in Deadly Drone Attack Near Jordan-Syria Border

In a tragic development marking a significant escalation in the volatile Middle East, three U.S. Army soldiers were killed and at least two dozen service members injured in a drone attack on a small U.S. outpost in Jordan. This incident, which occurred overnight, is the first instance of U.S. troops being killed by enemy fire in the Middle East since the commencement of the Gaza war.

According to CNN, the attack took place at Tower 22 in Jordan, situated near the border with Syria. U.S. officials informed CNN that the drone responsible for the assault was fired by Iran-backed militants and appeared to have originated from Syria.

U.S. Central Command released a statement on Sunday confirming the tragic event. The drone attack, described as a one-way assault, impacted a base in northeast Jordan. President Joe Biden, responding to the incident, vowed to hold those responsible accountable. He asserted that the attack was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq.

“These service members embodied the very best of our nation: Unwavering in their bravery. Unflinching in their duty. Unbending in their commitment to our country,” President Biden said. He emphasized that the U.S. would hold those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of its choosing.

As of the preceding Friday, there had been over 158 attacks on U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria. The constant barrage of drones, rockets, and missiles has been largely unsuccessful, with minimal injuries or damage reported. The reason behind the failure of air defenses to intercept the recent drone attack remains unclear.

Tower 22, where the attack occurred, has been a focal point since October 17, with U.S. forces stationed there for an advise-and-assist mission with Jordan. U.S. officials have consistently expressed their desire to prevent the escalating tensions across the Middle East from spiraling into a regional war.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown emphasized the importance of deterring conflicts and avoiding broader escalations in the region. In a previously recorded interview with ABC News, he stated that the goal is to prevent the conflict from broadening into a much broader regional conflict.

The recent incident comes amidst U.S.-Iraq talks about the future of the U.S. military presence in the country. The U.S. has previously taken retaliatory actions against Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria, including recent strikes on facilities used by Kataib Hezbollah and other affiliated groups. The killing of three Americans underscores the complex challenges faced by U.S. forces in the region and raises concerns about the ongoing security situation.