Drone strike kills US troops: Who did it and how will the US respond? | DW News

Summary

Three U.S. troops were killed and dozens wounded in a drone attack near a base on Jordan's border with Syria. President Biden blamed Iran-backed militants and vowed to respond. This was the first deadly strike on U.S. soldiers in the region since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. While Iran denies involvement with the groups, defense analysts say Iran funds militias in the region operating under an 'Islamic Resistance' umbrella. There are questions around the level of Iran's coordination in this attack. The U.S. troops were stationed in Jordan to combat ISIS after the Syrian civil war began. Now there is uncertainty around the U.S. response and whether strikes could further escalate tensions and widen the conflict in the region.

Takeaways

• 😣 Three U.S. troops were killed and dozens wounded in a drone attack near a base on Jordan's border with Syria
• 😠 President Biden blamed Iran-backed militants for the attack and vowed to respond
• 😕 This is the first attack that has killed American soldiers in the area since the start of the Israel-Hamas war
• 😟 U.S. officials do not want to see tensions in the Middle East escalate into a regional war
• 🤔 The group claiming responsibility is an umbrella term for Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon
• 😯 Iran denies direct involvement but is known to fund many militia groups in the region
• 🤨 U.S. troops have had a presence in the region since the Syrian civil war to combat ISIS
• 😐 The Iraqi government has asked the U.S. to withdraw troops due to ongoing attacks
• 😫 There is debate around the appropriate U.S. response - from strikes on Iran to sanctions
• 😌 Any U.S. escalation risks widening the war by increasing troop deployments

Q & A

Where did the drone attack that killed 3 US troops take place?

The drone attack took place near a US military base located on Jordan's border with Syria, in the Rukban region.

What group has claimed responsibility for the drone attack?

A group called the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has claimed responsibility, although they are considered an umbrella term for various Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria.

How has President Biden responded to the attack?

President Biden blamed Iran-backed militants for the attack and vowed to hold those responsible accountable in a manner and time of the US's choosing.

Why are US troops stationed in Jordan near the Syrian border?

US troops have been stationed there since the Syrian civil war began in 2011 to combat the Islamic State forces.

What kind of response is the US considering?

Options include conducting strikes on Iranian naval assets, decapitation strikes on militant group leaders, or economic sanctions, but it's unclear which approach will be taken.

How credible is Iran's denial of involvement in the attack?

Iran enjoys some deniability since it's hard to directly link them to ordering the attack, but they do fund many of the militia groups suspected of carrying it out.

Has Iran been directly implicated in the attack?

No, more evidence is needed to directly implicate Iran, although their ties to the suspected militant groups are well known.

Why hasn't the Iraqi government wanted US troops stationed in their country?

Due to the ongoing attacks from Iranian-backed militias, the Iraqi government has asked the US to withdraw troops from Iraq.

Could the US response lead to a broader regional conflict?

Yes, there are concerns strikes on Iranian territory or deploying more US troops could escalate tensions and widen the conflict across the Middle East.

What are the goals of the suspected militant groups behind the attack?

While backed by Iran, groups like Hezbollah have their own interests as well, such as targeting common enemies like the US presence in the region.