- Biden addresses Jordan drone strike
- U.S. plans tiered response
- Soldiers killed, base targeted
President Joe Biden has reportedly determined the United States’ response to the drone strike that killed three American soldiers over the weekend in Jordan.
In his White House remarks, Mr. Biden refrained from providing further details but added, “I do not believe a broader conflict in the Middle East is necessary.”
A militia group supported by Iran has claimed responsibility for the assault on a United States military base.
The strike near the Syrian border on Sunday resulted in dozens more injuries.
It had been since the onset of the Israel-Palestine conflict on 7 October that American soldiers had been slain by enemy fire in the Middle East before the overnight drone attack.
“Yes,” Mr. Biden responded when reporters inquired on Tuesday morning whether he had determined his response to the attack.
In addition, he was questioned regarding whether Iran should bear responsibility. He stated, “I do hold them [Iran] accountable in the sense that they supplied the perpetrators with weapons.”
Iran has refuted any allegations of involvement.
White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the US may take a “tiered approach” to retribution.
He told media on Air Force One bringing Mr. Biden to Florida election fundraisers. His explanation was that the action may include several over time.
He said the goal is to keep removing these terrorists’ ability to strike our forces and facilities.
Mr. Kirby further stated that the president will take appropriate action to safeguard our facilities and soldiers and ensure the nation’s security.
Among the options available to the president are retaliatory attacks against bases and commanders affiliated with Iran.
In Iraq or Syria, the United States might also target senior commanders of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps of Iran.
Several American bases in the Middle East have been targeted by Iranian-trained, financed, and armed militias in recent months.
On Sunday, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, comprised of multiple militias operating with Iranian support, asserted responsibility for the attack.
Additionally, it has claimed to have launched additional assaults against United States forces in recent weeks.
To prevent “embarrassment” for the Iraqi government, Kataib Hezbollah, an armed faction of the Islamic Resistance, announced on Tuesday that it would cease all military operations against U.S. personnel in the region.
Deadly Attack on Jordan’s Tower 22
A fatal strike in northeastern Jordan over the weekend targeted Tower 22, an American military installation.
U.S. Central Command asserts that the facility, which houses approximately 350 US forces, is devoted to the eradication of the Islamic State.
Specialist Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, Sgt William Jerome Rivers, 46, and Specialist Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, were all fatally wounded in the strike.
In addition to the over forty injured, 34 individuals were evaluated by officials for potential traumatic brain injuries.
The White House announced on Tuesday that Vice President Biden had communicated with the three soldiers’ families.
The national security spokesman informed reporters that the president will be present at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Friday to witness the “dignified transfer” of their remains.
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Mr. Kirby also stated that Mr. Biden conveyed to the families “how proud we are all of their service, and how we mourn and are saddened by their loss.”
As an American drone was returning to the base from a mission, the hostile drone struck.
To prevent shooting down the U.S. drone, the air defence auto-response features of the base were deactivated, according to officials.
Consequently, the troops, purportedly still in their sleeping quarters, have yet to receive advance notice.
CBS News reports that Tower 22 is using the Coyote supplemental air defence system to intercept drones.
Unidentified officials stated Tower 22’s air defences were less formidable than other regional bases.
