A drone attack from suspected Iranian-backed militias killed three U.S. servicemembers and injured several dozen more. The attack is a significant escalation of the proxy fighting happening across the Middle East between Washington and Tehran and will likely result in a U.S. reaction.
An attack on a U.S. base in Jordan resulted in the deaths, as well as at least two dozen injuries. Several of the soldiers were reported to be in critical condition. Furthermore, some of the injured suffered from the effects of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
The attack occurred on a base the United States uses to monitor ISIS activity in the region.
The attack was believed to be launched from a base in Syria utilized by pro-Iran militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC). Washington considers the IRGC a terrorist organization.
The United States appeared to be weighing retaliation as of Sunday evening. A number of refueling aircraft were aloft over the United States and heading toward the Middle East hours after the attack.
At least 6 U.S. Air Force KC-135 Aerial-Refueling Tankers, most from March Air Reserve Base in Southern California, are heading Northeast across the United States and preparing to Transit the Atlantic towards the U.K. and Europe. I wonder what kind of Aircraft they are Refueling?… https://t.co/AX12qrNhfs
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 29, 2024
American reconnaissance planes were also active above Iraq’s capitol of Baghdad. The White House hosted Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin this weekend.
Former President Donald Trump issued a sharp criticism of President Joe Biden following the attack.
Trump wrote on social media that Sunday was a “horrible day for America.” He issued condolences for those lost. He then wrote that the “brazen attack on the United States is yet another horrific and tragic consequence of Joe Biden’s weakness and surrender.”
“Three years ago, Iran was weak, broke and totally under control,” wrote Trump. “Thanks to my Maximum Pressure policy, the Iranian Regime could barely scrape two dollars together to fund their terrorist proxies. Then Joe Biden came in and gave Iran billions of dollars, which the Regime has used to spread bloodshed and carnage throughout the Middle East.”
The former president’s comments referred to billions in assets the United States seized from the Islamic Republic released to Tehran last year.
