A Jordanian armored personnel service and U.S. tanks participate within the “Eager Lion” multinational army workout routines in Jordan in September 2022. The U.S., Jordan and 28 associate nations took half within the workout routines, representing one of many largest army workout routines within the area.

Khalil Mazraawi/AFP by way of Getty Images

conceal caption

toggle caption

Khalil Mazraawi/AFP by way of Getty Images

A Jordanian armored personnel service and U.S. tanks participate within the “Eager Lion” multinational army workout routines in Jordan in September 2022. The U.S., Jordan and 28 associate nations took half within the workout routines, representing one of many largest army workout routines within the area.

Khalil Mazraawi/AFP by way of Getty Images

A drone strike linked to Iran killed three U.S. service members and wounded a minimum of 34 others — and that quantity is prone to rise, in response to U.S. officers.

The unmanned aerial drone struck American troops stationed in northeast Jordan close to the Syrian border in a single day. The assault occurred at a help base referred to as Tower 22 and certain hit a barracks, a U.S. protection official informed NPR.

Tower 22 helps the Al-Tanf Garrison in southeastern Syria, the place U.S. particular operations have lengthy operated in tandem with different nations in combatting Islamic State militants.

A U.S. official informed NPR that the service members’ accidents fluctuate, with many affected by traumatic mind damage. There are additionally a number of instances of shrapnel wounds and spinal accidents.

It marks the the primary lethal assault on U.S. forces within the Middle East because the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out.

The assault comes amid the conflict within the Middle East which was triggered by the Hamas assaults on Israel in October. The U.S. has been making an attempt to include the battle and stop a from spreading wider within the area.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of militias backed by Iran, claimed credit score for the assault. The group referred to as it revenge for America’s army presence within the area and the Palestinian dying toll in Gaza.

It claimed to have attacked a complete of 4 army bases on Sunday — three of that are U.S. bases in Syria and on the Syrian-Jordanian border, and one belonging to Israel. There has been no affirmation of different assaults from U.S. officers.

On Sunday, the White House stated it was nonetheless gathering data however the administration stated it’s dedicated to combating terrorism will retaliate.

“Have no doubt — we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing,” President Biden stated in an announcement.

Central Command stated it’s within the means of notifying the households of the service members.

About 900 U.S. troops are stationed in Syria and a pair of,500 in Iraq, largely to assist battle ISIS. Since the Israel-Hamas conflict began, Iranian-linked forces have carried out greater than 140 assaults in these two nations.

Earlier this month, Central Command stated a “number” of U.S. army personnel have been evaluated for traumatic mind accidents after Iran-backed teams launched a number of ballistic missiles and rockets on an airbase in western Iraq. Most of the missiles have been intercepted however a minimum of one Iraqi service member was wounded, it added.

In December, three U.S. service members have been injured, one critically, by a drone strike in northern Iraq. In response, the U.S. stated it carried out a number of airstrikes in opposition to services utilized by militants.

This is a growing story. We will replace as we be taught extra. NPR’s Tom Bowman and Jane Arraf in Jordan contributed reporting.