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Tower 22 drone attack

Coordinates: 33°18′51″N 38°42′12″E / 33.31417°N 38.70333°E / 33.31417; 38.70333
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Tower 22 drone attack
Part of the attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan (2023–present) and spillover of the Israel–Hamas war
Location
Tower 22, Jordan

33°18′51″N 38°42′12″E / 33.31417°N 38.70333°E / 33.31417; 38.70333
TargetTower 22
Date28 January 2024
Executed byIslamic Resistance in Iraq[1]
CasualtiesUnited States 3 U.S. military personnel killed and 25[2]-34[3] wounded
Tower 22 is located in Jordan
Tower 22
Tower 22
Tower 22 in Jordan

On 28 January 2024, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, supported by Iran, launched a drone attack on a U.S. military outpost in Jordan.[1] resulted in the deaths of three U.S. soldiers and reportedly left 25 to 34 wounded.[2][3]

Background

Approximately 3,000 US troops are currently stationed in Jordan, with those deployed at Tower 22 specifically engaged in an "advise and assist" mission.[4] Tower 22 is in close proximity to the Al-Tanf Garrison in Syria, where US and local forces collaborate in combating the Islamic State.[5][6]

Prior to the attack, US and coalition forces operating in the region had already faced more than 158 instances of targeting. While these earlier attacks were largely categorized as minor, attributed to the absence of severe injuries or significant damage, approximately 70 US and coalition soldiers had sustained injuries.[5][6]

Attack

The drones struck the vicinity of the base’s living quarters, killing three American service personnel who were asleep in tents at the time. The reason for the failure of air defenses to intercept the drones remains unclear.[7][8] At least 25 others were injured in the attack, some of whom had to be medically evacuated. A US official said at least 34 personnel underwent evaluations for possible traumatic brain injury.[1]

This incident marks the first occurrence in which U.S. troops were killed by enemy fire since the start of the Israel–Hamas war, signifying a notable escalation.[8]

Responsibility

According to US officials, the drone was fired from Syria by Iran-backed militants; US President Joe Biden promised to "hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing".[8][9]

Later in the day, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed that it had launched attacks on three military bases, including one on the Jordan-Syria border.[1]

Reactions

Republican senators John Cornyn and Lindsey Graham called on the White House to directly target Iran in response to the attacks.[10]

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters that the attack was a message to the US administration that "unless the killing of innocents in Gaza stops, it must confront the entire [Muslim] nation."[11][12] and warned that the conflict could lead to a "regional explosion."[12]

Jordanian state television quoted Muhannad Al Mubaidin, a government spokesman, as insisting the attack happened outside of the kingdom across the border in Syria.[4][11][13]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Three US service members killed in Jordan drone attack, Biden says". Al Jazeera. 28 January 2024. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b Cheeseman, Abbie (28 January 2024). "Three US troops killed and 25 injured in drone attack in Jordan". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b Stewart, Phil; Holland, Steve; Ali, Idrees (28 January 2024). "Three US troops killed, up to 34 injured in Jordan drone strike linked to Iran". Reuters. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Three Americans killed, 'many' wounded in Jordan drone attack". euronews. 28 January 2024. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Three US troops killed and 25 injured in drone strike by Iranian-backed militia in Jordan". The Independent. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  6. ^ a b "3 US troops killed and more than 20 wounded in drone attack in Jordan, officials say". CNN. 28 January 2024. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  7. ^ "Three US troops killed and 34 injured in drone attack in Jordan". Sky News. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  8. ^ a b c Liebermann, Oren; Bertrand, Natasha; Britzky, Haley (28 January 2024). "First on CNN: Three US killed in drone attack in Jordan, at least two dozen injured". CNN. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Three US troops killed and 25 injured in drone attack on US post in Jordan, Biden says attack carried out by Iran-backed militants". The Times of India. 28 January 2024. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  10. ^ "Israel-Hamas war live updates: Negotiators make progress on hostage deal; Biden considers slowing weapons deliveries". NBC News. 28 January 2024. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Three US troops killed, up to 34 injured in Jordan drone strike linked to Iran". Reuters. 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Three US troops are killed, President Joe Biden vows reprisal". France 24. 28 January 2024. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  13. ^ "الحكومة: الهجوم الذي استهدف القوات الأميركية قرب الحدود السورية لم يقع داخل الأردن". قناة المملكة (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-01-28.
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