Three dead US soldiers, pro-Iranian militias – the drone attack in Jordan is fueling concerns about an expansion of the Middle East war. The fact that the drone was able to attack at all was apparently based on a misjudgment by the US military.
An enemy drone that killed three US soldiers and injured many more in Jordan may have been mistaken for an American drone. According to consistent media reports, this misjudgment by the US military played a role in the deadly attack by pro-Iranian militias on the US base on the border with Syria.
Your own drone or an enemy drone?
The Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and Fox News, among others, reported, citing US government representatives, that the enemy drone had approached the base at the same time as a US surveillance drone. It was therefore unclear whether it was a friendly drone or an enemy drone.
It could therefore have been assumed that it was a US drone returning to the so-called Tower 22 in Jordan on the border with Syria. As a result, air defense was not immediately deployed to intercept the enemy drone. Although Tower 22 does not have large air defense systems, the facility does have drone defense technology, such as Coyote interceptor drones.
Biden announced retaliation
A misjudgment with fatal consequences. Three US soldiers died and at least 34 others were injured. The attack also causes further destabilization in an already volatile region. US President Joe Biden announced retaliation, and Iran denied any involvement in the attack. Pro-Iranian militias in Iraq claimed the attack and said they had attacked four US military bases, including three in Syria, on Sunday morning.
There will be an answer, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby added, while also asserting that they don’t want war with Iran. But the attack in Jordan clearly represents an escalation, Kirby continued. Kirby made the comments shortly after Biden met with the national security cabinet, which includes Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Tehran wants nothing to do with it
It is clear to the US that pro-Iranian groups are responsible for the attack. The regime in Tehran denied any connection to the attack.
The accusations were made with the political aim of “reversing the realities in the region,” the state news agency Irna quoted foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani as saying. The armed groups in the region received no instructions from Iran.
Blinken: Situation more dangerous than it has been since 1973
Statements by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also show how tense the situation is. “I maintain that we have not experienced a situation as dangerous as this one in the entire region since at least 1973 – perhaps even before that,” Blinken said in Washington at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. “This is the environment in which we operate.” He warned against attempts to exploit the conflict in the Middle East to sow further instability. We will respond decisively to any aggression. At the same time, Blinken emphasized that the US government’s goal is to prevent escalation in the region. “It is important to us to do both: stand up for our people when they are attacked and prevent the conflict from growing and spreads.”
US soldiers and their allies were again shot at in Syria on Monday. “Several missiles were fired at US and coalition soldiers,” said a Defense Department official in Washington who wished to remain anonymous. Nobody was injured.
3,000 US troops in Jordan
As of summer 2023, around 3,000 US soldiers are stationed in Jordan, as the Axios portal reported. Among other things, they support Jordan in the fight against the terrorist militia “Islamic State” (IS). The US soldiers stationed there use caravans as sleeping quarters. According to the US, most of the 34 people injured in the drone strike suffered cuts, bruises, traumatic brain injuries and similar wounds. Eight military personnel were evacuated for medical reasons. The most seriously injured soldier was in critical but stable condition.
Isabell Karras, ARD Washington, tagesschau, January 30, 2024 7:15 a.m