Three U.S. Soldiers Killed, 34 Injured in Drone Attack on American Base in Jordan

A one-way drone attack struck a U.S. base in northeast Jordan on January 28, near the Syrian border, resulting in the tragic loss of three U.S. service members.

The attack, targeted at the logistics support base at Tower 22 of the Jordanian Defense Network, injured at least 34 service members. Eight of the injured were evacuated for higher-level care and are in stable condition. The remaining injured service members are undergoing evaluation for follow-on care.

There are approximately 350 U.S. Army and Air Force personnel deployed to the base, conducting a number of key support functions, including support to the coalition for the lasting defeat of ISIS.

In adherence to DoD policy, the identities of the deceased service members will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified. CENTCOM pledges to provide further updates as more information becomes available.

U.S., U.K. Blame Iran-backed Groups for the Attacks; Iran Denies Involvement

Iran has denied any involvement in the drone attack. However, President Joe Biden and UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron have attributed the assault to Iran-backed groups operating in the region.

Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Nasser Kanaani, claimed that resistance groups in the region act independently in response to perceived war crimes and genocide committed by the "child-killing Zionist regime." Kanaani insisted these groups do not take orders from Iran, stating that accusations against Iran are politically motivated.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organization of Iran-backed armed groups, has claimed responsibility for the attack. This incident marks the first loss of American life due to enemy fire since the beginning of the war in Gaza.

President Biden condemned the attack as "despicable and wholly unjust," pledging to hold those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of the U.S.' choosing. Washington has accused Iranian-backed groups of carrying out multiple attacks on U.S. military installations in Iraq and Syria throughout the conflict.