It could mark a major escalation.
Three U.S. service members were killed and at least 30 were injured in a drone attack on a U.S. base in Jordan on Saturday night. The attack marks the first time U.S. troops have been killed in the Middle East by hostile fire since the start of the Israel-Hamas war — and could cause an escalation. Here’s what we know.
What happened at Tower 22?
U.S. officials told CNN that a one-way aerial drone attack on Tower 22, a small U.S. outpost in north-eastern Jordan, killed three service members from the Army. Their identities were withheld until their next of kin were notified, but have since been revealed as Sgt. William Rivers, 46; Specialist Kennedy Sanders, 24; and Specialist Breonna Moffett, 23. More than 30 others were wounded, though that number is expected to rise as more seek treatment. The attack drone struck overnight and landed near the base’s living quarters, and it’s not yet clear why it wasn’t intercepted by air defenses.
The base is located near the border between Jordan and Syria. U.S. forces are there to “advise and assist” with Jordan — or as the New York Times puts it, “to assist in regional efforts to stamp out remnants of the Islamic State.” About 3,000 American troops are typically stationed in Jordan, though it’s not clear how many are stationed at Tower 22 specifically.
Who is responsible for the drone attack in Jordan?
A statement from President Biden said, “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.” A U.S. official told CNN the White House is still working to pinpoint which specific group carried out the attack, which President Biden called “despicable and wholly unjust.”
On Sunday, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq released a statement claiming responsibility for three drone attacks on U.S. bases in Syria, the Wall Street Journal reports.
For months since the war in Gaza began, U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria have faced drone and missile attacks from Iran-based militia groups, but this marks the first time American troops in Jordan were targeted.
Will the Israel-Hamas war widen?
There are certainly fears that the conflict could spread now that American troops have been killed.
“Have no doubt — we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner [of] our choosing,” the President’s statement said. Vice President Harris wrote on X, “We will continue to fight terrorism, and we will hold all those responsible to account.” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement, “The president and I will not tolerate attacks on American forces, and we will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests.” The President and Vice President also extended their sympathies to the families of those who died.
This all comes as tensions with Iran have been escalating. On one front, Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been exchanging fire across the border with Lebanon. Plus, the U.S. and U.K. have conducted strikes against Houthi militia — which are also backed by Iran — in Yemen after the militia’s attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea have caused disruptions to global shipping.
On Jan. 20, at least four U.S. service members stationed at the al-Asad air base in Iraq were injured in rocket and missile fire from what U.S. officials said were Iran-backed militants. And on Jan. 22, two Navy SEALS who had disappeared during an operation to intercept weapons from Iran to Yemen were declared dead by the Pentagon.
Meanwhile, after the attack in Jordan, some members of Congress were quick to demand the U.S. take action against Iran. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham tweeted, “Hit Iran now. Hit them hard.” He also criticized the Biden administration’s policy toward Iran.
House Speaker Mike Johnson tweeted, “America must send a crystal clear message across the globe that attacks on our troops will not be tolerated.”
U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed on X that he was “heartbroken and outraged” by the deaths of the service members and added, “Every single malignant actor responsible must be held accountable.”
