Three American soldiers were killed and dozens wounded in an overnight drone attack on a small American base in Jordan near the border with Syria. What is known about Tower 22, the “important strategic location” where the Americans were killed?
CNN, citing anonymous officials, reported that the drone struck on the night of Saturday to Sunday near residential neighborhoods at the site of the small American Tower 22 on the border with Syria. According to these sources, at least 30 soldiers were injured. CNN reported that it was unclear why air defenses did not shoot down the drone.
US Central Command said in a press statement: “On January 28, three American soldiers were killed and 25 others were injured in a drone attack that occurred on a base in northeastern Jordan, near the border with Syria.” .
Tower 22 “an important strategic location”
The facility known as Tower 22 is – as Reuters wrote – “a site of strategic importance in Jordan, at the country's northeasternmost point where the country's borders with Syria and Iraq meet.”
Reuters notes that “little is known about it publicly. However, it includes logistical support, and the base houses 350 soldiers from the US Army and Air Force.”
Satellite image of the base of Tower 22Reuters
The agency indicates that Tower 22 is located near the American Al-Tanf base in Syria.
“Al-Tanf has played a major role in the fight against the so-called Islamic State, and has played a role as part of the US strategy to stop the buildup of Iranian forces in eastern Syria. Tower 22 is close enough to US forces at Al-Tanf that in case of need it can assist them and at the same time confront the fighters.” “Backed by Iran in this region.”
Joe Biden: We will respond
US President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that the United States would respond to the attack on the Burj 22 base.
The Associated Press reported that Biden, who was on a pre-election tour in South Carolina, asked the meeting participants to observe a minute of silence. -We had a difficult night in the Middle East. He said: We will respond.
According to reports from Reuters, Muhannad Al-Mubaideen, a Jordanian government spokesman, said Sunday evening on the Kingdom's local public television that the target of the attack was Al-Qaeda in Al-Tanf.
Iran's mission to the United Nations said in a statement on Monday that Tehran did not participate in the attack.
Main image source: Reuters
