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Tower 22 base in Jordan (satellite image on January 29, 2024): location of the attack

Photo: Planet Labs PBC/AP

There are new findings about the deadly attack by pro-Iranian militias on a US base in Jordan: According to consistent media reports, a misjudgment by the US military may have played a role. The Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and Fox News, among others, reported on Monday, citing US government officials, that the enemy drone in the attack approached the base at the same time as a US surveillance drone. It was therefore initially unclear whether it was a friendly drone or an enemy drone. As a result, air defense was not deployed immediately, it was said.

However, two other drones in nearby locations were reportedly shot down. When asked on Monday, the Pentagon said the incident was still being investigated.

On Sunday, three US soldiers were killed in a drone strike in Jordan near the Syrian border. According to the Pentagon on Monday, more than 40 others were injured. Pro-Iranian militias in Iraq claimed responsibility for the attack and said they had attacked four US military bases, including three in Syria, on Sunday morning.

Attack on Iranian soil unlikely

US President Joe Biden blamed “radical, Iranian-backed militant groups” for the attack and threatened retaliation. According to the Wall Street Journal, US government officials said they were considering strikes against militias in Iraq, Syria and possibly Iran. However, an attack on Iranian soil is a less likely scenario. Northeast Jordan borders both Syria and Iraq.

The US government has made it clear that it will not seek escalation with Iran. »We are not looking for a war with Iran. “We do not seek conflict with the regime through military means,” National Security Council Communications Director John Kirby said in Washington on Monday. They don't want another war or escalation. "But we will do what is necessary to protect ourselves, to continue this mission and to respond appropriately to these attacks."

"We know that Iran is behind it," said Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh. Iran is responsible because Tehran finances these groups that operated in Iraq and Syria and carried out attacks on US soldiers. According to the White House, Biden met with his crisis team in the Situation Room, the operations center in the West Wing of the White House, on both Sunday and Monday. Asked about a possible retaliation, Kirby said: The US would follow its own timetable and act in a manner that the president as commander in chief sees fit.

Since the Gaza war between Israel and the Islamist Hamas began last October, pro-Iranian militias have carried out almost daily attacks on US military bases in Iraq and Syria. The US government responded with air strikes in both countries. In addition, the Yemeni Houthis – in solidarity with Hamas – repeatedly attack freighters in the Red Sea. In response, the US and Britain, with the support of allies, carried out military strikes against the Iranian-backed militia in Yemen.

Kirby emphasized that US soldiers in the region were conducting a mission aimed at supporting partners in the fight against the Islamic State (IS). The mission has been around for a long time and has nothing to do with Israel.

kfr/dpa