29th January 2024
In a tragic incident, three U.S. troops lost their lives and 25 others were injured in a drone attack on a U.S. base near the Syria border, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command. This marks the first instance of U.S. soldiers being killed in a strike in the region since the October 7th attack by Hamas on Israel.
U.S. President Joe Biden has attributed the attack to “radical Iran-backed militant groups.” The White House reported that President Biden was briefed on the situation by U.S.
President Biden remarked that although the details of the attack are still being compiled, it has been confirmed that radical Iran-backed militant factions active in Syria and Iraq were responsible. He conveyed his sympathies, stating, ‘Jill and I stand with the families and friends of those we lost – and with Americans nationwide – mourning the tragic loss of these brave souls in this reprehensible and entirely unjust assault.
The identities of the servicemen who lost their lives and those who were injured have not been disclosed yet, as authorities are currently in the process of informing their families.
In December, U.S. officials had reported that bases in Iraq and Syria were attacked at least 97 times since October 17th. Last month, retaliatory U.S. airstrikes targeted Iran-affiliated groups after a drone attack on a base in northern Iraq left three U.S. servicemembers injured, one critically.
President Biden pledged to ensure that “all those accountable will be held responsible, in a manner and timing of our choosing,” in response to the recent attack. General CQ Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, underscored America’s objective in the region: to prevent the escalation of conflicts. He emphasized, “Our aim is to deter them, and we aim to avoid a trajectory leading to further escalation that could result in a wider conflict within the region.
The assailants behind this latest attack remain unclear, but President Biden remains steadfast in the commitment to identify and hold them accountable. In a pre-recorded interview with ABC News, he asserted, “We will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing.”
Additionally, two Navy Seals are presumed dead after going missing in January during an operation off the coast of Somalia to seize Iranian-made weapons bound for Houthis in Yemen. This incident adds to the complex and challenging dynamics in the region.
As tensions persist, the U.S. and coalition troops stationed in the Red Sea face ongoing challenges from Iran-backed Houthis, who have been targeting commercial ships in the region. The Houthis claim to support Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel is engaged in conflict with Hamas. However, the U.S. Central Command has clarified that these actions have nothing to do with the Gaza conflict, condemning the Houthis for indiscriminately firing into the Red Sea and impacting vessels from over 40 countries worldwide.
The situation remains fluid as investigations into the recent drone attack continue, and the U.S. grapples with the complex geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.