Three US soldiers killed in attack in Jordan – Biden threatens UN Palestinian Relief Agency under enormous pressure – the night update

Three US soldiers have been killed in a drone strike by pro-Iranian militias in Jordan near the Syrian border, the White House said. More than twenty other soldiers were injured. The attack was carried out “by radical Iranian-backed militant groups” active in Syria and Iraq, US President Joe Biden said on Sunday. However, they are still gathering the facts about the attack. Biden threatened: “Have no doubt: We will hold all those responsible accountable, at a time and in a manner of our choosing.”

According to American media, it is the first time since the start of the Gaza war that American soldiers have been killed in an enemy attack in the Middle East. The security situation across the region is tense due to the war that started with the Islamist Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. The US has repeatedly stressed that it fears the conflict in the Middle East could escalate into a regional war.

There were initially conflicting reports about which US base in the border area was hit. Al-Jazeera news channel quoted a Jordanian government official as saying the attacked US base was outside Jordan. Pro-Iranian militias in Iraq claimed responsibility for the attack, saying they attacked four US military bases on Sunday morning, including three in Syria. Northeast Jordan borders both Syria and Iraq.

The US military’s regional command Centcom said the deadly attack took place on Sunday at a US base in northeastern Jordan. Accordingly, in addition to the three soldiers killed, 25 others were injured. CNN reported that pro-Iranian fighters in Syria were responsible for the drone strike. It is unclear why air defenses were unable to intercept the drone, according to CNN.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that US-led alliance forces shot down a pro-Iranian militia drone near Syria’s border with Jordan and Iraq. They attempted to attack the Al-Tanf military base used by US forces.

Pro-Iranian militias have carried out numerous attacks on US military bases in Iraq and Syria since mid-October, wounding dozens of US soldiers. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has counted more than a hundred attacks on anti-terrorist coalition bases in Syria since mid-October. The Pentagon had emphasized in the past that attacks generally did not destroy any infrastructure. The US responded to the attacks with several air strikes.

As of summer 2023, approximately 3,000 US soldiers were stationed in Jordan, as the Axios portal reported. They support, among other things, Jordan in the fight against the terrorist militia Islamic State (IS).

Biden emphasized that the US stands together “in the fight against terrorism.” “It is a fight we will not give up.” “Today, Americans’ hearts are heavy,” Biden said. “These military members embodied the best our nation has to offer: steadfast in their courage. Fearless in their duty. Unwavering in their commitment to our country.” (sda/dpa)