Biden says US will ‘respond’ after three American troops are killed in drone attack in Jordan
Joe Biden has said the US “shall respond” after three American troops were killed and dozens more were injured in a drone strike on Saturday night in northeast Jordan near the Syrian border.
The president blamed Iranian-backed militias for the first US fatalities after months of strikes by such groups against American forces across the Middle East.
Mr Biden, who was travelling in South Carolina on Sunday, asked for a moment of silence during an appearance at a Baptist church’s banquet hall.
“We had a tough day last night in the Middle East. We lost three brave souls in an attack on one of our bases,” he said. After the moment of silence, Mr Biden added, “and we shall respond”.
Follow live: Biden blames ‘radical Iran-backed militant groups’
As the risk of escalation in the region continues, US officials are working to conclusively identify the group responsible for the attack, but they have ascertained one of several Iranian-backed groups was behind it.
So far one umbrella group, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iranian-backed militia operating in Iraq and Syria has claimed responsibility for the “suicide” drone attack.
The group has claimed responsibility for dozens of attacks against bases housing US troops in Iraq and Syria since the Israel-Hamas war began.
US helicopters in Jordan during previous drills at a military base. Pic: AP
Mr Biden has said in a written statement that the US “will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner (of) our choosing”.
Defence secretary Lloyd Austin said “we will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests”.
Mr Biden’s rival for the White House this year, Donald Trump, said: “This brazen attack on the United States is yet another horrific and tragic consequence of Joe Biden’s weakness and surrender.”
UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron said: “We strongly condemn attacks by Iran-aligned militia groups against US forces. We continue to urge Iran to de-escalate in the region.
“Our thoughts are with those US personnel who have lost their lives and all those who have sustained injuries, as well as their families.”
Iran-backed fighters in east Syria have begun evacuating their posts, fearing US airstrikes, according to Omar Abu Layla, a Europe-based activist who heads the Deir Ezzor 24 media outlet.
According to a US official, the number of troops wounded in the attack by a one-way attack drone may grow.
The official said a large drone struck the base, identified as an installation known as Tower 22.
It is along the Syrian border with Jordan and largely used by troops involved in the advise-and-assist mission for Jordanian forces.
Analysis: Huge pressure on Biden – both at home and abroad
The small installation, which Jordan does not publicly disclose, includes US engineering, aviation, logistics and security troops.
The US military base at al-Tanf in Syria is just 12 miles north of Tower 22.
The Jordanian installation provides a critical logistical hub for US forces in Syria, including those at al-Tanf, which is near the intersection of the Iraq, Syria and Jordan borders.
Map of Jordan
Jordanian state television quoted Muhannad Mubaidin, a government spokesman, as saying the attack happened across the border in Syria.
US troops have long used Jordan, a kingdom bordering Iraq, Israel, the Palestinian territory of the West Bank, Saudi Arabia and Syria, as a basing point.
US Central Command put the total casualties at three killed and 34 injured.
Those killed were sleeping in a tent and some of those injured have been evacuated from the country.
Some 3,000 American troops typically are stationed in Jordan.
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Pressure mounts on Joe Biden
Since the war in Gaza began on 7 October, Iranian-backed militias have struck American military installations in Iraq more than 60 times and in Syria more than 90 times, with a mix of drones, rockets, mortars and ballistic missiles.
The attack on Sunday was the first targeting US troops in Jordan during the Israel-Hamas war and the first to kill Americans.
Scores of US personnel have been wounded, including some with traumatic brain injuries, during the attacks.
The militias have said their strikes are in retaliation for Washington’s support for Israel and that they aim to push US forces out of the region.
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The US in recent months has hit targets in Iraq, Syria and Yemen to respond to attacks on American forces in the region and to deter Iranian-backed Houthi rebels from continuing to threaten commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
Syria is still in the midst of a civil war and long has been a launch pad for Iranian-backed forces there, including the Lebanese militia Hezbollah. Iraq has multiple Iranian-backed Shiite militias operating there as well.
Jordan, a staunch Western ally and a crucial power in Jerusalem for its oversight of holy sites there, is suspected of launching airstrikes in Syria to disrupt drug smugglers, including one that killed nine people earlier this month.
US
Putin wasn’t at the White House, but his influence was – the moments which reveal his hold over Trump
Vladimir Putin wasn’t at the White House but his influence clearly was. At times, it dominated the room.
There were three key moments that revealed the Russian president‘s current hold over Donald Trump.
The first was in the Oval Office. Sitting alongside Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the US president told reporters: “I don’t think you need a ceasefire.”
Ukraine talks latest: Zelenskyy ‘ready to meet’ Putin after Trump summit
Vladimir Putin shaking hands with Donald Trump when they met last week. Pic: Reuters
It was a stunning illustration of Mr Trump’s about-face in his approach to peace. For the past six months, a ceasefire has been his priority, but after meeting Mr Putin in Alaska, suddenly it’s not.
Confirmation that he now views the war through Moscow’s eyes.
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Trump applauds Putin and shares ride in ‘The Beast’ last week
The second was the format itself, with Mr Trump reverting to his favoured ask-what-you-like open-ended Q&A.
In Alaska, Mr Putin wasn’t made to take any questions – most likely, because he didn’t want to. But here, Mr Zelenskyy didn’t have a choice. He was subjected to a barrage of them to see if he’d learnt his lesson from last time.
It was a further demonstration of the special status Mr Trump seems to afford to Mr Putin.
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The third was their phone call. Initially, President Trump said he’d speak to the Kremlin leader after his meeting with European leaders. But it turned out to be during it.
A face-to-face meeting with seven leaders was interrupted for a phone call with one – as if Mr Trump had to check first with Mr Putin, before continuing his discussions.
We still don’t know the full details of the peace proposal that’s being drawn up, but all this strongly suggests that it’s one sketched out by Russia. The White House is providing the paper, but the Kremlin is holding the pen.
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For Moscow, the aim now is to keep Mr Trump on their path to peace, which is settlement first, ceasefire later.
It believes that’s the best way of securing its goals, because it has more leverage so long as the fighting continues.
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But Mr Putin will be wary that Mr Trump is pliable and can easily change his mind, depending on the last person he spoke to.
So to ensure that his sympathies aren’t swayed, and its red lines remain intact, Russia will be straining to keep its voice heard.
On Monday, for example, the Russian foreign ministry was quick to condemn recent comments from the UK government that it would be ready to send troops to help enforce any ceasefire.
It described the idea as “provocative” and “predatory”.
Moscow is trying to drown out European concerns by portraying itself as the party that wants peace the most, and Kyiv (and Europe) as the obstacle.
But while Mr Zelenskyy has agreed to a trilateral meeting, the Kremlin has not. After the phone call between Mr Putin and Mr Trump, it said the leaders discussed “raising the level of representatives” in the talks between Russia and Ukraine. No confirmation to what level.
It’s always wise to let the dust settle before reaching conclusions with this presidency.
But on the face of it we are further away from peace now than we were two weeks ago.
The consensus that was held back then was that Vladimir Putin would only relent under maximum pressure. He does not want slivers of territory. He wants the whole of Ukraine extinguished and absorbed into his greater Russia.
Ukraine talks latest: Trump sets up Zelenskyy-Putin meeting
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What’s next for Ukraine?
To stop him, allies agreed an immediate ceasefire was necessary, along with much more painful pressure, namely sanctions hitting his oil industry. Europeans and Republicans in Congress agree on that.
Then Alaska and Donald Trump’s U-turn. No ceasefire and no more severe sanctions. So less pressure.
Yesterday’s reality TV diplomatic circus in Washington has not shifted him on that stance, so he stays it seems now aligned with Mr Putin on those crucial points.
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Starmer: This needs to be a lasting deal
Making matters worse for Ukraine, allies seem to be accepting it will have to give up land taken by force.
They sweeten the pill by saying of course only Ukraine can decide whether or not to cede territory, but there is now enormous pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to do so.
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In return there is nebulous and vague talk of security guarantees. European leaders are seizing on the fact Mr Trump did not rule out American troops being involved and hinted at US support for post-war security arrangements.
But that is little consolation for Ukrainians. They point out this president changes his mind as often as his socks and goes back on commitments, even those enshrined in international treaties.
The best that can be said for the White House meeting is it sets up more such meetings.
Read more:
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Trump has taken peace talks a distance not seen since the war began
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Much of yesterday’s events were focused on stroking President Trump’s ego. Many here in Kyiv would prefer he was reminded of a few hard facts about this war. Mr Putin cannot be trusted. Mr Putin wants the end of Ukraine. Mr Putin will only relent under maximum pressure.
Protracted international diplomacy may suit Mr Trump’s craving for attention, but they fear it will only take us further away from peace.
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