Tension escalates in Middle East as US base attacked near Jordan-Syria border

New Delhi, Jan 29: Iran has refuted allegations linking it to the recent drone attack on a US base near Jordan’s border with Syria. The Iranian mission to the UN stated that Iran had no involvement in the assault.

In the attack on the Tower 22 airbase in Rukban, northeast Jordan, three American soldiers lost their lives, and dozens were injured. President Joe Biden attributed the incident to “radical Iran-backed militant groups” and pledged a decisive response.

This marks the first incident resulting in US troop casualties in the region since the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel. Despite Jordan’s assertion that the attack occurred in Syria, President Biden emphasised the need to hold those responsible accountable.

The White House reported at least 34 military personnel under evaluation for possible traumatic brain injury, with the drone targeting living quarters possibly contributing to the higher casualty count.

The attack on Tower 22 is part of a series, with over 97 reported since mid-October. Last month, US airstrikes targeted Iran-affiliated groups in response to a drone attack in northern Iraq.

Retaliatory US strikes earlier in the year in Baghdad resulted in the death of a militia leader accused of orchestrating attacks on US personnel.

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin also attributed the latest attack to “Iran-backed militias,” and President Biden vowed retaliation “at a time and place of our choosing.”

In addition to the three deaths, at least 34 others were injured, with some in critical but stable condition. Jordan condemned the attack and reaffirmed cooperation with the US in securing the border and combating terrorism.

The focus is now on the nature of this response, given the limited impact of previous retaliatory strikes. The escalating violence underscores the challenges faced by the US in the Middle East amid conflicts such as the one in Gaza.

The death of three US service members adds pressure on President Biden, as both Washington and Tehran have, so far, avoided direct confrontation.

The situation is further complicated by ongoing Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, leading to the deployment of US and coalition troops.

The Houthis claim to support Palestinians in Gaza, a perspective dismissed by the US military. Additionally, the presumed death of two Navy Seals during an operation off the coast of Somalia highlights the complexity of challenges faced by US forces in the region, particularly concerning Iranian-backed activities in Yemen and to other Non-State actors.