Eight US soldiers critically wounded in Jordan-Syria border attack
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The Israel Hayom newspaper reveals that eight US soldiers were critically wounded in an attack that targeted the US forces in the Jordanian-Syrian border area.
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken thanks the members of Jordan special forces upon his departure from the airport, in Amman, Jordan, October 13, 2023 (AP)
The drone strike that targeted the US forces in the Jordanian-Syrian border area, which killed three US soldiers and wounded 34 others, resulted in at least eight soldiers who are in critical condition, the Israeli Israel Hayom newspaper reported.
"The wounded have been evacuated for treatment in the United States, and there are grave concerns for their lives," the Israeli newspaper added.
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Sunday evening that three US soldiers had been killed, while at least 25 have been injured in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border.
"On Jan. 28, three US service members were killed and 25 injured from a one-way attack UAS that impacted at a base in northeast Jordan, near the Syria border," CENTCOM said before adding that the identity of those killed while deployed will not be revealed for 24 hours.
Later, citing a US official, Reuters reported that the number of US soldiers injured in the drone attack in north East Jordan rose to 34.
Operation 'wholly unjust'
In turn, US President Joe Biden had condemned the attack calling it "wholly unjust," reducing the event to the killing of US soldiers and making no mention of their duties overseas or the escalating tensions in the regions.
Biden has blamed "radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq," likely referring to the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which announced earlier this month that they would escalate their attacks after the US conducted several raids in Iraq and assassinated a military official in central Baghdad.
The US President also reaffirmed that the US forces are now "still gathering the facts of this attack," stressing, "We will carry on their commitment to fight terrorism. And have no doubt -- we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing."
The Wall Street Journal, citing a US official, reported that The attack targeted a small military outpost in Jordan, which is Tower 22 near the Syrian border.
Citing a US military official, The Washington Post reported that The drone struck the living quarters at the base, causing injuries ranging from cuts, bruises, and brain injuries, some of which required medical evacuation.
On the other hand, CNN described the operation as "a major escalation," noting that it is not clear why the air defenses failed to intercept the drone, noting that as of Friday, there had been more than 158 attacks on US and US-led coalition forces in Iraq and Syria.
The slew of condemnations was joined by Jordan, which issued a statement on Sunday calling the Resistance operation a "terrorist attack" on a military advance post.
This marks the first official statement from Jordan regarding the incident and highlights the country's dedication to cooperating with the United States.
