In a statement on Wednesday, White House national security spokesman John Kirby confirmed that the United States will retaliate against an Iran-backed proxy group responsible for a drone attack that claimed the lives of three American soldiers. Kirby emphasized that this would not be the last action taken in response to the attack, stating, “The first thing you see won’t be the last.”
The attack, carried out by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iran-backed militant groups, occurred in Jordan and resulted in the deaths of Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett. At least 34 other service members were injured, with some requiring evacuation for further medical care.
President Biden has publicly blamed Iran for supplying weapons to these militant groups and has stated that a response has been decided upon. However, details regarding the nature of the response have not been disclosed. This has led to questions about the White House’s resolve in addressing such attacks.
Kirby defended the administration’s stance, asserting that the U.S. will respond on its own terms and schedule. He also mentioned that the response would not be a “one-off” and would extend over time. The decision to move forward with action was made following consultations with the national security team.
The planned response has been kept under wraps, but Kirby expressed confidence in both the planning and execution. He emphasized that President Biden will continue to assess options and engage with his national security team as the situation develops.
This attack marks the first time American soldiers have been killed by enemy fire in the Middle East since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began. It is also part of a larger pattern, with a total of 166 attacks on U.S. military installations occurring since October 2023, including 67 in Iraq, 98 in Syria, and now one in Jordan.
In addition to the situation in Jordan, the U.S. and its allies have been responding to Houthi militants in Yemen who have been targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Retaliatory strikes have been carried out to deter further attacks.
The article concludes by mentioning other recent incidents, including a rocket attack on Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq and the deaths of two U.S. Navy SEALs during a mission in the Red Sea. These events highlight the ongoing challenges faced by American forces in the region.
The Associated Press and Digital’s Bradford Betz contributed to this report.
