On January 30, President Joe Biden confirmed there is a plan in the works in retaliation for the attack on American soldiers in Jordan. An uncrewed strike hit the logistics support base at Tower Two located at the Jordanian Defense Network.
A CNN reporter had asked him if there would be a retaliatory move to which he answered a simple “Yes.” Biden proceeded to not divulge anything else on the matter.
The Jordan Drone Attack
The drone attack on American soldiers In Jordan took place during the early morning of January 28th. The soldiers were stationed in Jordan near the Syrian border. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, they were stationed there as a part of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Operation Inherent Resolve is the American operational name for the war against the Islamic State (IS). The Islamic State is a terrorist organization that is heavily settled in Syria and Iraq, As a consequence, their full name is apt Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
The drone strike had claimed the lives of three American soldiers and injured more than 40. Additionally, eight of them had to be evacuated for their injuries. This would be the first reported time that American soldiers were killed in the Middle East since the beginning of the genocide and war in Gaza.
The names of the troopers who were killed in battle were revealed on Monday the 29th. Those lost were 46-year-old Sgt. William Rivers, 24-year-old Sgt. Kennedy Sanders, and 23-year-old Sgt. Breonna Moffett. They all hailed from different parts of Georgia.
Both Sgt. Sanders and Sgt. Moffett status was promoted from specialist to sergeants after their deaths.
Response to the Strike
The morale was expectedly low after the surprise strike. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III made a statement lamenting the deaths and injuries of the American soldiers. He declared, “These brave Americans and their families are in my prayers, and the entire Department of Defense mourns their loss.”
The Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary, Sabrina Singh spoke at a press conference where she had released the details of the fallen and injured. She also stated that the Department of Defense and US Central Command are working on investigating the attack.
Especially how an uncrewed, one-way drone was able to cause such havoc at the building. They aren’t fully sure of who the attack came from but they do say it is highly likely for it to have been an ISIS-backed militia attack.
Believing that Iran was behind the attack. She further stated, “And certainly, as we’ve said before … Iran continues to arm and equip these groups to launch these attacks, and we will certainly hold them responsible.”
She continues that more than 150 U.S. service members and U.S. coalition facilities have been attacked since October this year in Iraq and Syria. However, this is the first attack in Jordan as well as the first time a U.S. service member has died.
She then goes on to say the ultimate decision on how to handle the situation is up to President Biden.
Biden’s Decision
Singh ended the press conference on the note that the situation is being heavily investigated and discussed, however, President Biden will decide how the U.S. will move forward.
There haven’t been any publicly made statements about what the military will do, yet Biden did send condolences to the family of the deceased.
He had spoken to all of the families of the soldiers. He had even asked permission to attend the dignified transfer of the soldiers. All of the families confirmed they would be grateful for his presence.
the Biden administration has been criticized multiple times by Republicans for being too lenient on Iran-backed groups. for example, Senator Lindsay Graham said that the Biden administration is failing. Also, it needs to escalate by launching strikes against enemy targets within Iran.
Biden said he does hold Iran guilty for the attack. Yet, the U.S. will respond to the attacks in a “time and manner of our choosing”. However, it’s very unlikely for strikes to be sent within Iran. Biden wishes to not spread more conflict with and within the Middle East.
Written By Arianna Rathers
Sources:
US DoD– 3 U.S. Service Members Killed, Others Injured in Jordan Following Drone Attack
CNN– Three US troops killed in drone attack in Jordan, more than 30 injured
CNN– Biden says he has decided how to respond to attack in Jordan
Featured Image by Sgt. Emily Finn Courtesy of The National Guard’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image by Sgt. Jordan Trent Courtesy of The National Guard’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
