Several U.S. troops have been killed in an attack related to the Israel–Hamas war. Last week, two Navy Seals accidentally died in a naval operation.
The Biden administration blamed Iran-backed forces for the drone assault that killed U.S. military personnel overnight at a small facility in Jordan, according to CENTCOM. It reported at least 25 other personnel hurt.
“As a matter of respect for the families and in accordance with [Department of Defense] policy, the servicemembers’ identities will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin are notified,” the statement added.
In a rare move, the White House responded quickly with a statement from President Joe Biden.
“Today, America’s heart is heavy,” he said in a statement Sunday.
They were the first U.S. deaths in months of Iranian-backed militia attacks on American soldiers in the Middle East during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, raising the possibility of escalation. U.S. officials believe one of several Iranian-backed militias was responsible for the strike.
Jordan, which borders Iraq, Israel, the West Bank, Saudi Arabia, and Syria, did not respond immediately. Jordan hosts about 3,000 American troops and has a peace treaty with Israel, though it has been hostil. A recent poll of Jordanian citizens found they approved of the attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7, and of the resulting kidnappings of Israeli and other citizens.
As for Biden, he blamed “radical” Iranian-backed forces in Iraq and Syria for the assaults, saying the US “will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing,” without providing details.
Following Hamas’ Oct. 7 terrorist assaults on Israel U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria have faced drone and missile threats on their bases on an almost daily basis. This is the first wartime strike against American troops in Jordan.
–Metro Voice and wire services