Watan-United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin settled the controversy over the location of the attack on the American base between Jordan and Syria.
Despite Jordan’s denial that the drone strike targeted a site within its borders, the minister affirmed that the attack occurred northeast of Jordan.
The U.S. Central Command announced the death of 3 soldiers and injury of 25 others in a drone attack targeting a base in northeast Jordan. The Pentagon stated that the incident represented a serious escalation against American forces in Jordan.
Conflicting reports about the attack’s location led to widespread debate on social media
Minister Austin expressed sorrow and anger over the killing of three U.S. soldiers in an attack on forces in northeastern Jordan. He attributed the continuous attacks on American forces to militias supported by Iran and vowed to respond at the appropriate time and place.
وزير الاتصال الحكومي الأردني: الهجوم الذي استهدف القوات الأميركية قرب الحدود السورية لم يقع داخل الأردن pic.twitter.com/VdG2YXf5Tt
— يوسف الجمري 🇧🇭 (@YusufAlJamri) January 28, 2024
Secretary Austin emphasized, “President Biden and I will not tolerate attacks on U.S. forces,” and pledged to take all necessary measures to protect the United States, its forces, and interests.
Jordan had denied that the attacks on U.S. forces took place within its territory. The Jordanian government’s spokesperson clarified that the attack targeting American forces near the Syrian border did not occur inside Jordan.
The conflicting information sparked a wide-ranging debate on social media platforms. Some criticized Jordan’s statement, questioning the truth about the existence of a military base east of Jordan and on the Syrian border.
الأمريكان يقولون أنه وقع هجوم على قواتهم من مجموعات معادية في قاعدتهم العسكرية شرقي الأردن، والأردن ينفي تعرض أراضيه لأي عدوان، وما يعنيه ذلك من نفي وجود قاعدة عسكرية شرق الاردن وعلى الحدود السورية،فأين الحقيقة، وأين تمت العملية؟ في الأردن أم في سوريا أم في المريخ، قبل أن نتحدث… pic.twitter.com/C5KUmy6ZIy
— Dr Rafik Abdessalem. د. رفيق عبد السلام (@RafikAbdessalem) January 28, 2024
Iraqi Group Claims Responsibility for the Attack on the American Base
An Iraqi group called “Islamic Resistance in Iraq” claimed responsibility for the attack on the U.S. base through a statement on Telegram. The group, consisting of Shiite militias loyal to Iran, claimed to have attacked four enemy bases, three in Syria (Shaddadi, Rukban, and Tanf) and one inside occupied Palestinian territory (Zifolon Maritime Facility).
President Joe Biden stated that three American military personnel were killed, and others were injured in a drone attack on U.S. forces in northeast Jordan near the Syrian border. He vowed to hold those responsible for the attack accountable and stated that the assailants were likely Iran-backed groups operating in Syria and Iraq.