A satellite image of the American “Tower 22” base, which was targeted by a drone in northeastern Jordan (French)

The American website The Intercept published an investigation stating that the American Tower 22 base in Jordan, where three American soldiers were killed last month, is not just a “logistical support base,” as the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) described it.

Ken Klippenstein, an investigative reporter based in Washington, DC, said that what the Pentagon did not mention is that “Tower 22” is also a drone base used for long-range reconnaissance operations to direct air strikes on militants in Syria and Iraq, and is also used as a special operations preparation center and a headquarters for helicopters. Medical evacuation.

Klippenstein added that Al-Qaeda's focus has shifted to Iranian-backed faction groups, after its mission was focused on fighting ISIS, as the Pentagon says.

An Air Force pilot, whose unit was recently stationed at the base, told The Intercept: “Describing the “Burj 22” base as a logistical support base is complete nonsense, because the logistical aspect is a small part of the mission, which is to deliver food and fuel weekly to Al-Tanf base... the main purpose of the base.” “It is operating drones to spy on armed groups in Iraq and Syria, for targeting purposes, and the main goal that I witnessed is to kill targets.”

The pilot added that the "Burj 22" base provides intelligence information targeting Air Force assets stationed at other bases in Jordan, such as Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, for use in strikes.

However, the Intercept report, after interviews with sources and defense experts, pointed out that there is a picture emerging about the purpose of “Tower 22” as a main base from which to support the fight with groups allied with Iran, even as the administration of US President Joe Biden insists that it does not want war. With Tehran. The shift in its mission, from fighting ISIS to fighting groups linked to Iran, was not recognized by the Pentagon, which still insists that this is part of its war on ISIS.

It is noteworthy that the American Tower 22 base in Jordan was attacked by a drone on January 28, which led to the death of 3 American soldiers and the injury of dozens of others. The White House said at the time that the "Islamic resistance in Iraq" was behind the attack.

Source: The Intercept