U.S. National Guard Confirms American Soldiers Injured in Recent Drone Attack

On Wednesday, February 1, the U.S. National Guard confirmed in a statement that American soldiers were injured in a recent drone attack on a military base at the Jordan-Syria border. According to the National Guard, the attack on the U.S. logistical support base known as 'Tower 22' in northeastern Jordan resulted in the deaths of three American soldiers and at least 41 others were injured. The injured National Guard soldiers are from units stationed in Arizona, California, Kentucky, and New York. Twenty-seven soldiers resumed their duties after treatment, but 14 others remain under medical care, including one soldier who has been evacuated from Jordan but is in stable condition. General Daniel R. Hokanson, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, reiterated the condemnation of this drone attack by President Joe Biden and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, stating that such attacks will not deter American citizen soldiers from their mission to defend the country and its interests. Hundreds of U.S. Army and Air Force personnel are present at this base to support Operation 'Resolute Resolve.' These soldiers include several National Guard forces from Arizona, California, Kentucky, and New York. More than 27,000 U.S. National Guard troops have been deployed overseas to support operations, including 6,700 who are in the area of responsibility of U.S. Central Command. In the drone attack on January 28 (February 8), three American soldiers were killed. The Kata'ib Hezbollah, a group aligned with the Islamic Republic of Iran, has claimed responsibility for the attack. The United States has stated that it will respond decisively to this attack that resulted in American casualties. Reuters: Pressure from the Islamic Republic has led to a halt in Kata'ib Hezbollah's attacks. An American official told ABC News: The U.S. response will involve strikes on 'multiple targets.' The Middle East is in crisis; The Guardian: The Islamic Republic is on alert to respond to America's retaliatory reaction. The Pentagon: The suspension of Kata'ib Hezbollah's operations will not affect America's retaliatory actions. The White House: The attack on the U.S. base in Jordan has characteristics of groups supported by the IRGC in Iraq.