Geostrategic Media Political Commentary, Analysis, Security, Defense
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group for several Iran-backed militias in the country, said it attacked a number of places along the Jordan-Syria border Sunday — including a camp near the US base in Jordan where soldiers were killed today.
The camp, Al-Rukban, is in close proximity to Tower 22, where the US announced three service members were killed in a drone attack.
The Islamic Resistance’s statement, posted to its Telegram channel, came earlier today — before the US announced the death of its service members.
The organization’s forces launched drone attacks at dawn Sunday as part of its efforts to “resist the American occupation forces in Iraq” and in response to Israel’s “massacres against our people in Gaza,” it said in a statement.
The attacks targeted four bases, three of which are in Syria, the group said.
What the US has said: US officials have said the drone that killed the US service members at Tower 22 was launched by Iran-backed militants and appeared to come from Syria.
The US government has not yet named a specific militia they hold responsible, however. A US official told CNN earlier Sunday that is still being determined.
Various US politicians — from sitting elected officials to 2024 political hopefuls — have weighed in on the attack on the US military base in Jordan that killed at least three US soldiers and left more than 30 others injured.
All of them offered their sympathies to the families of the service members who died, while several said the US must do more to hold Iran accountable for the actions of its proxy groups.
The Biden administration:
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris both released statements in the wake of the attack, offering their condolences to the families of those killed and pledging the US would “continue to fight terrorism” and hold perpetrators “to account.”
Speaking later Sunday, Biden offered his first brief remarks on camera, honoring those lost and calling for a moment of silence as he addressed the congregation at Brookland Baptist Church in West Columbia, South Carolina. He vowed “we shall respond.”
2024 presidential candidates:
Nikki Haley: The former United Nations ambassador and current GOP presidential hopeful said the US should retaliate “with the full force of American strength,” following the drone attack. She drew from her experience as a military spouse, saying her “heart breaks for the families who lost loved ones.” She also made a political attack, saying Iran would not target US troops “if Joe Biden weren’t so weak in his treatment of Iran.” Haley later held a moment of silence at her rally in South Carolina.
Donald Trump: The former president, who is making another bid for the White House, said the drone attack “marks a horrible day for America.” He also took the opportunity to slam Biden, saying in a social media post that it was “yet another horrific and tragic consequence of Joe Biden’s weakness and surrender.”
US lawmakers:
The Senate Armed Services Committee chairman, Democratic Sen. Jack Reed,said he was “angered and saddened” by the “despicable” attack. “The loss of these soldiers is tragic, and my heart is with the fallen and their families,” Reed said in a written statement. He added he was confident the Biden administration would respond appropriately.
The House Armed Services chairman, GOP Rep. Mike Rogers, said it was “long past time” for Biden to hold Iran “accountable” for its proxies’ attacks on the US. He described the service of the slain soldiers as the “ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation and our freedoms.”
