US to avenge slain troops
Biden promises retaliation for Iran-backed militants’ drone attack
WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden has vowed to take action after three American troops were killed and dozens more injured in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants on a US base in Jordan, raising fears of a broader conflict with Tehran.
It is the first strike to have killed American military personnel since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
Mr Biden promised reprisals for the attack, which he said was orchestrated by groups operating in Syria and Iraq.
“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,” the President said.
“We will carry on their (dead soldiers’) commitment to fight terrorism. And have no doubt – we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing.”
Hamas said the incident showed the US’s support for Israel pitted it against the entire Muslim world and threatened a “regional explosion”.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said the killing of the troops “is a message to the American administration that unless the killing of innocent people in Gaza stops, it may be faced with the entire (Muslim) nation.”
It has not been officially confirmed which base was targeted. American media reports citing unnamed officials suggested it was the Tower 22 base, on the border with Syria, used by troops involved in the advise-and-assist mission for Jordanian forces. It is also unclear how many troops are stationed on Tower 22, the type of weapons they have, or why air defences would have failed to intercept the drone.
US Central Command put the number of wounded from the attack at 25, and said the identities of those killed will be withheld pending notification of their families.
Jordan, a staunch ally of the US, condemned the “terrorist attack” and said it was working closely with Washington. Jordan’s army is one of the largest recipients of foreign military financing from the US and some 3000 American military personnel are typically stationed there at any one time.
Iranian proxies in Syria, Iraq and Yemen have launched almost 160 attacks on US positions in the region since October.
The conflict in the Middle East poses a challenge to Mr Biden in an election year, with Donald Trump, who is expected to become the Republican nominee, condemned the attacks and blaming Mr Biden for allowing them to happen.
“This brazen attack on the United States is yet another horrific and tragic consequence of Joe Biden’s weakness and surrender,” Mr Trump said. He said the attack “would never have happened if I was president”.
Some in congress called for strikes on Iran. “The only answer to these attacks must be devastating military retaliation against Iran’s terrorist forces, both in Iran and across the Middle East,” said Tom Cotton, a Republican senator.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war was part of a wider conflict. “It’s also the case, as I’ve told President Biden, I’ve told all the leaders who came here – this is your war as well.”