President Joe Biden confirmed Sunday that three United States service members were killed in a drone attack in Jordan, near the border with Syria.
It is the first time U.S. troops have been killed by enemy fire since the start of the war in Gaza, CNN reported.
President Biden said that the United States “will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing,” according to The Associated Press.
“Today, America’s heart is heavy. Last night, three U.S. service members were killed — and many wounded — during an unmanned aerial drone attack on our forces stationed in northeast Jordan near the Syria border. While we are still gathering the facts of this attack, we know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq,” Biden said in a statement from the White House.
“The three American service members we lost were patriots in the highest sense. And their ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten by our nation. Together, we will keep the sacred obligation we bear to their families. We will strive to be worthy of their honor and valor. 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,” Biden continued.
Jordan has been used as a logistic support base for U.S. troops, the AP reported. There are about 3,000 U.S. troops stationed there.
According to the AP, Iranian-backed militias have struck American military installations in Iraq and Syria dozens of times, but this marks the first time an attack targeted American troops in Jordan since the war in Gaza began in October.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that Biden was briefed about the attack Sunday morning, the AP reported.
The names of the three U.S. service members killed have not been released.
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