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Location of the attack: the Tower 22 base in Jordan (satellite image)

Photo: Planet Labs PBC/AP

Since the deadly attack on American soldiers in Jordan, numerous questions have been left unanswered. When will the US respond? How exactly? And above all: against whom? At least the latter question has now been answered; the US government has identified a group as responsible.

"We believe that the attack was planned, financed and carried out by an umbrella organization called the Islamic Resistance in Iraq," National Security Council Communications Director John Kirby said in Washington on Wednesday. The organization includes several groups, including the pro-Iranian militia Kataib Hezbollah.

Three US soldiers were killed in the drone attack on the remote Tower 22 base near the Syrian border on Sunday. Numerous other soldiers were injured. Biden blamed “radical, Iranian-backed militant groups” for the attack and threatened retaliation.

“We will respond at the appropriate time and in what we believe is an appropriate manner,” Kirby also said. "Just because you haven't seen anything in the last 48 hours doesn't mean you won't see anything," he added.

The “Islamic Resistance in Iraq” claimed responsibility for the attack. It is a kind of umbrella group for pro-Iranian militias in Iraq, which have been operating together under this general name since October 7th. The Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah is one of the strongest militias in Iraq. She calls for the withdrawal of US troops from the country.

Kataib Hezbollah spoke out shortly after the attack and announced a suspension of all attacks on American troops. The group said on Tuesday that they did not want to embarrass the government in Baghdad.

According to the Iraqi government, Kataib Hezbollah's announcement was preceded by negotiations by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani aimed at preventing escalation. Government circles in Baghdad said the attack was "obviously one step too many." Now everyone is at a crossroads.

Since the Gaza war between Israel and the Islamist Hamas began in 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.

Pressure on Biden is growing – and questions about air defense remain unanswered

US President Joe Biden came under domestic political pressure as a result of the attack in the election year: Republicans accused him of inaction. Biden accused Iran of procuring the weapons for the deadly drone attack. “I hold them responsible in the sense that they provided the weapons to the people who did this,” Biden said. Tehran had denied any connection to the attack.

There are also still unanswered questions about the course of the attack: The Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and the Fox News channel, among others, reported on Monday, citing US government officials, that the enemy drone in the attack took place at the same time approached the base with 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.

jok/dpa