On Sunday, the US government released the names of three soldiers who were killed in a drone attack in Jordan. Sgt William Jerome Rivers, Specialist Kennedy Ladon Sanders, and Specialist Breonna Alexsondria Moffett lost their lives when their housing unit was hit by a drone. The US has attributed the attack to Iranian-backed groups, specifically Hezbollah. The Pentagon emphasized that while they do not seek war with Iran, they will respond to attacks on their forces. Initial investigations suggest that the drone used in the attack was of Iranian origin, potentially a Shahed drone provided by Iran to Russia. Iran has denied these allegations and claims that it does not support militant groups involved in the strike.
The three soldiers belonged to an army reserve unit stationed at Fort Moore in Georgia. Lt Gen Jody Daniels, Chief of Army Reserve and Commanding General US Army Reserve Command, expressed condolences for the fallen soldiers and pledged support for their families. The attack occurred in Rukban, located in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border. The base, known as Tower 22, suffered additional casualties as more than 40 military personnel were injured when the drone struck their container housing unit. US officials stated that the air defense system at Tower 22 was turned off at the time of the attack due to the simultaneous presence of a returning US drone. Troops were caught off guard in their sleeping quarters, giving them little to no warning.
In response to the accusations, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanaani, denied any involvement in supporting groups responsible for the attack. Iran’s Intelligence Minister, Esmail Khatib, emphasized that regional armed groups have the autonomy to respond to American aggression as they see fit. US President Joe Biden vowed to hold those responsible accountable. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin echoed this sentiment, promising to take all necessary actions. The Pentagon identified the militia behind the attack as an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-backed group with ties to Lebanese group Hezbollah. However, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it targeted three US bases in Syria and an Israeli oil facility in the Mediterranean. This incident marks the first time US troops have been killed in the region since the Gaza conflict began, triggered by Hamas’s attack on Israel in October.
The death of these servicemembers puts additional pressure on President Biden as tensions escalate in the region. It serves as a stark reminder of the volatile situation and the risks faced by American forces. The US has faced numerous attacks on its bases in Iraq and Syria, with over 165 incidents reported since mid-October. Last month, the US conducted airstrikes against Iran-affiliated groups in response to a drone attack on a base in northern Iraq, which injured three servicemembers. In January, a retaliatory strike in Baghdad killed a militia leader linked to attacks on US personnel. The recent attack on US forces underscores the need for the Biden administration to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the escalating conflict and ensure the safety of American troops.
Three US servicemembers killed in drone attack in Jordan
