The assault that resulted in the deaths of three US military personnel and injuries to 34 others at a base in the Middle East was carried out by a single-use attack drone, marking the latest occurrence in an escalating series of increasingly deadly assaults directed at bases housing American troops in the region.
Since October 17, Iranian-backed militias have executed over 150 attacks on bases occupied by U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria, as reported by the Pentagon.
The predominant methods employed in these attacks include rockets and one-way attack drones, the majority of which have been successfully intercepted.
US Central Command disclosed in a statement on Sunday night that eight of the injured individuals were transported from Jordan to receive advanced medical care and are currently in stable condition.
The count of wounded personnel is subject to change as individuals seek medical attention.
Attack in Jordan Targets US Troops at Logistics Base
The assault took place at a logistics support base in Jordan, located near the Syrian border, where approximately 350 Army and Air Force personnel are stationed to aid in the fight against ISIS militants.
President Joe Biden expressed the nation’s deep sorrow in a statement on Sunday, pledging that those responsible for the attack will be held accountable in a manner and time of the nation’s choosing.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also affirmed the commitment to retaliation.
USofficials, who are not authorized to speak publicly, have raised concerns for months about the possibility of a precise attack from local militants, often referred to as a “golden BB.” Such an attack could potentially bypass the layers of defenses in place to shield bases from incoming assaults.
Recent Incidents Show Increased Complexity and Danger
In recent weeks, the assaults have evolved in complexity and peril.
On January 20, militants launched ballistic missiles at the al-Asad air base in western Iraq, causing traumatic brain injuries in four US troops.
The Pentagon responded with airstrikes targeting elements of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, a government entity known for supporting militant groups in the Middle East.
The attacks on US troops in Iraq and Syria, along with the ongoing targeting of commercial shipping in the Red Sea by Houthi militants, suggest a common thread of support from Iran. Javed Ali, a former senior US counterterrorism and intelligence official, anticipates repercussions from this latest provocation by proxy forces.