Three American servicemembers were tragically killed in an unmanned aerial drone attack on forces stationed in northeast Jordan near the Syria border. This incident marks the deadliest attack on U.S. forces in the Middle East since the October 7th massacre. According to U.S. Central Command, three troops lost their lives and 25 others were wounded in what the Pentagon has described as a one-way drone attack targeting a base in northeast Syria near the border with Jordan.
Currently, there are approximately 900 U.S. troops stationed in Syria, with some receiving support from the base in Jordan. However, it is worth noting that there is now only one U.S. aircraft carrier strike group in the region. The USS Gerald Ford recently departed from the Mediterranean and arrived back in Norfolk around two weeks ago. This limited presence comes at a time when there have been over 150 attacks on U.S. troops and rockets in Iraq and Syria, leading to an increase in calls for potential military action against Iran.
The safety of U.S. personnel at forward operating bases in Iraq and Syria remains a concern. A retired admiral highlighted the need for adequate responses to these attacks, while also acknowledging the potential risk of increased counterattacks on these bases. Currently, there are roughly 2,500 U.S. troops stationed in Iraq and 900 in neighboring Syria, both of which have been subject to near-daily attacks since the October 7th incident. The U.S. forces face the daunting task of intercepting incoming drones and missiles with precision, as the enemy only needs to be successful once.
The White House has attributed responsibility for the deadly attack in northeast Jordan near the Syrian border to Iranian-backed proxy forces. At present, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower strike group is the sole aircraft carrier strike group in the region and has been heavily involved off the coast of Yemen in the Red Sea. While it is worth noting that the USS Gerald Ford has been replaced with the USS Bataan, an amphibious ready group, which has 2,000 Marines on board and a limited amount of firepower compared to an aircraft carrier strike group.
However, the U.S. does have some military assets available in the region. U.S. Air Force fighter jets are stationed at al-Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, providing a level of firepower should President Biden decide to strike, potentially inside Iran's northern region. Additionally, there are two aircraft carrier strike groups currently positioned in Asia, the USS Carl Vinson and the Theodore Roosevelt, which could potentially be redeployed to the region if necessary.
As tensions remain high in the Middle East, the U.S. faces the challenge of balancing its military capabilities with the need to protect its forces and deter further attacks. The loss of three servicemembers underscores the gravity of the situation and serves as a harsh reminder of the dangers faced by U.S. personnel deployed in the region.
