AMMAN, Jordan – President Biden has promised to take action after a drone strike killed three U.S. soldiers at a small American base called Tower 22 in Jordan, near the Syrian border. An Iran-backed group known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq is believed to be behind the attack.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq is just one of approximately 40 militant groups in the Middle East that receive support from Iran. These groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, have various objectives and operate in different ways. They are all part of Iran’s strategy to maintain the Syrian regime under Bashar al-Assad, as well as to counter U.S. activities in the region.
The attack at Tower 22 reflects an escalation in tension between the U.S. and Iran-backed groups in the region, particularly in relation to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Despite Iran’s denial of involvement in the attack, the situation poses a challenge for the Biden administration as it seeks to prevent a wider conflict in the region.
As the U.S. vows to respond to the attack in Jordan, it remains crucial to understand the complex relationships and motivations behind the actions of Iran-backed groups in the Middle East. The involvement of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq is just one aspect of a larger, interconnected web of militant activity in the region.
With tensions escalating and the threat of further retaliation looming, the Biden administration faces the difficult task of ensuring the defense of U.S. forces in the region while also avoiding a broader conflict. As the situation unfolds, the response of the U.S. and its impact on the region will continue to be closely monitored.