Three U.S. service members were killed and many wounded during an unmanned aerial drone attack on U.S. forces stationed in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border, President Joe Biden said on Sunday, blaming Iran-backed groups for the attack.
“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.
The deaths marked the first fatalities of U.S. troops in the region since war began in Gaza. Biden said the attack occurred on Saturday night.
“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 of our choosing,” Biden said in his statement released by the White House.
Biden’s statement did not mention how many troops were injured but CNN said at least two dozen service members were wounded in the attack.