US Attributes Drone Attack in Jordan to Iran-Backed Militias
The United States has attributed the drone attack that killed three US service members in Jordan to the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias. As President Joe Biden weighs his options to respond to the strike, Iran has threatened to “decisively respond” to any US attack. The US has signaled its preparation for retaliatory strikes in the Middle East following the Sunday drone attack that also wounded over 40 troops at Tower 22, a secretive base crucial to the American presence in neighboring Syria.
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated that the US believes the attack was planned, resourced, and facilitated by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which includes the militant group Kataib Hezbollah. President Biden is currently considering his options, with Kirby emphasizing that any response will not be a one-off and that the US will take appropriate action.
Kirby dismissed a statement by Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah announcing the suspension of military and security operations against occupation forces to prevent embarrassment to the Iraqi government. He stated that the group cannot be taken at face value and highlighted that they are not the only group attacking US forces.
Since October 18, Kataib Hezbollah and other Iran-aligned militias have launched 166 attacks on US military installations, including 67 in Iraq, 98 in Syria, and one in Jordan. The US has previously retaliated against these militias, striking weapons and ammunition storage sites used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iranian-backed groups.
However, any additional American strikes could further escalate tensions in a region already affected by Israel’s ongoing war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties and displacement, arousing anger throughout the Muslim world. Violence has also erupted across the Middle East, with Iran striking targets in Iraq, Pakistan, and Syria, while the US carries out airstrikes against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
Amidst the rising tensions, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations in New York, Amir Saeid Iravani, warned that Iran would decisively respond to any attack on the country, its interests, or its nationals. The US has stated that it does not seek a war with Iran and is not looking for a broader conflict.
The situation is further complicated by ongoing attacks by the Houthi rebels and counterattacks by the US in the Red Sea. American fighter jets recently destroyed 10 Houthi drones that were prepared to launch, while a missile targeted the USS Gravely, a guided missile destroyer. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, calling it a response to American-British aggression.
The Houthis have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea, endangering global trade routes. In response, the US, the United Kingdom, and the European Union have launched airstrikes and naval missions to defend cargo ships against these attacks.
As tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East, the international community closely watches the developments and hopes for a peaceful resolution to avoid further conflict. The US and its allies must carefully consider their actions to prevent a wider war in the region.