In a tragic turn of events on Sunday, a drone attack targeted a US. outpost in Jordan, claiming the lives of three U.S. service members and leaving over 30 others wounded.
First US casualty since the Gaza War
This marks a somber milestone as the first instance of U.S. troops being killed by enemy fire in the Middle East since the onset of the Gaza war. The attack has heightened tensions in the region, prompting a swift response from U.S. President Joe Biden.
President Biden, in a press statement, squarely placed the blame on Iran-backed militant groups for the attack. Vowing to hold them accountable, he declared, “We shall respond.” The incident follows weeks of concerted efforts to contain the Israel-Hamas conflict and prevent its further spread across the region. Iran, however, swiftly distanced itself from the attack, asserting that “regional resistance” groups do not take orders from Tehran.
In response to the tragic incident, the White House, through National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby, emphasized that the United States is not actively seeking war. Kirby stated, “We are not looking for war with Iran, we are not seeking a conflict with the regime in the military way.” Despite this, the White House did not categorically rule out the possibility of President Biden considering strikes within Iran.
Kirby described the drone attack as escalatory, making it clear that a response is deemed necessary. “This attack over the weekend was escalatory, make no mistake about it — and it requires a response, make no mistake about that. I will not get ahead of the president’s decision-making,” he affirmed.
Names of killed Americans
The tragic incident in Jordan has raised concerns about the potential widening of the conflict beyond its current boundaries. The international community is closely watching developments, as the U.S. contemplates its next steps.
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The killing of three Americans at Tower 22 in Jordan has marked a significant escalation of an already precarious situation in the Middle East. According to officials, the drone responsible for the attack was fired by Iran-backed militants and appeared to originate from Syria. The specific militia group responsible is still under investigation.
The Defense Department has released the names of the U.S. soldiers who lost their lives in the attack.
- Sgt. William Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Georgia;
- Specialist Kennedy Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Georgia;
- Specialist Breonna Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Georgia
They were all members of the 718th Engineer Company, a U.S. Army Reserve unit based out of Fort Moore, Georgia, as confirmed by Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh.
The attack has prompted widespread condemnation, with President Joe Biden vowing a response against those found responsible for the act. The loss of these soldiers underscores the human toll of conflicts in the region and adds urgency to the ongoing efforts to address the escalating tensions.
Simultaneously, in Gaza, the main UN relief agency is urging countries to reconsider cutting off funding amid allegations that its staff members were involved in the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. The plea comes as the agency faces scrutiny, emphasizing the challenges in maintaining humanitarian efforts amid complex geopolitical dynamics.
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