According to the United States, a base in Jordan was targeted by a drone attack, resulting in the deaths of three American service members and injuries to several others.
On Sunday, President Biden and the U.S. military confirmed that an unmanned aerial drone attack on a base in Jordan resulted in the deaths of three American service members and multiple injuries.
According to a statement, the president attributed the attack to “extremist groups supported by Iran, operating in Syria and Iraq.” Mr. Biden stated that the attack took place at a base located in northeast Jordan, which is a close ally of the United States and near the Syrian border. A U.S. official confirmed that the attack targeted an outpost known as Tower 22.
Central Command for the United States, in charge of military personnel in the Middle East, initially reported 25 individuals injured. However, two U.S. officials later stated that the number had increased to over 30. Eight of the injured service members needed to be transported for further treatment, with some in critical condition. According to a defense official who spoke with CBS News, all of the wounded were in stable condition.
Thirteen individuals from the United States lost their lives in a suicide bombing in Kabul during the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in 2021.
The attack by a drone occurred amidst escalating tensions between the United States and Iran’s allies in the area. In the past few weeks, these tensions have reached dangerous levels, increasing the possibility of a larger regional conflict if Israel’s conflict with Hamas, backed by Iran, in Gaza intensifies.
“In October, Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran, initiated assaults on ships in the Red Sea in order to demonstrate against the conflict in Gaza. In response, the U.S. and its allies began carrying out airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen earlier this month, with the goal of stopping the attacks on shipping vessels. On Friday, Houthi militants”launched a missile
The USS Carney experienced an attack for the first time, with a U.S. warship being targeted by the group. However, the destroyer successfully defended itself and there were no reported injuries.
The previous week, the United States military announced that two Navy SEALs had been…lost at sea after they went overboard while trying to board an Iranian vessel that was delivering “advanced conventional weapons” to the Houthi rebels.
Republican members of Congress expressed outrage upon hearing about the assault and demanded that the Biden administration take action against Iran. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson stated that the administration must make it known worldwide that any assaults on our military will not be accepted. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a well-known Republican advocate for defense, suggested that the U.S. should target important locations within Iran to discourage further attacks.
Senator Graham suggested attacking Iran immediately and with force.
Reporting was contributed by Margaret Brennan and David Martin.
Stefan Becket
Source: cbsnews.com