By Pishtaz | 2024-02-01

The increase in attacks by Iran-backed militants on US troops in the region, the latest of which a deadly drone attack in Jordan, risks a significant escalation of the current regional conflict, as the United States vows retaliation against those responsible.

The United States blamed Iran-backed militants for an unmanned aerial drone attack on a base in northeast Jordan near the Syria border that killed three US troops and injured 34 others late on Saturday (January 27).

"We know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq," US President Joe Biden said in a statement Sunday.

He pledged to "hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing."

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in a separate statement that Iran-backed militias were responsible and "we will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our troops and our interests."

The so-called Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group that includes Kataib Hizbullah, Asaib Ahl al-Haq and other Iran-backed militants, claimed attacks on three bases, including one on the Jordan-Syria border.

The United Kingdom's Foreign Secretary David Cameron condemned the attack "by Iran-aligned militia groups" in a post on social media platform X, and urged "Iran to de-escalate in the region."

Jordan also "condemned the terrorist attack" on "US forces that are cooperating with Jordan in countering terrorism and securing the border," the official Petra news agency said.

Iraq on Monday urged an "end to the cycle of violence" in the Middle East.

"The Iraqi government condemns the ongoing escalation," government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi said in a statement, adding that it was willing "to collaborate on establishing fundamental rules to prevent further repercussions in the region and curb the escalation of conflict."

The US troops operate at the base known as Tower 22 near Jordan's border with Iraq and Syria.

There are around 350 US Army and Air Force personnel at the base who operate in support roles, including for the international coalition against the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS), according to US Central Command (CENTCOM).

Tower 22 supports Al-Tanf garrison, which is located on the other side of the Syrian border and has been attacked regularly by Iran-backed militants over the years.

Iran's denials lack credibility

Iran on Monday said it had nothing to do with the attack on the remote frontier base in Jordan and denied accusations that it supported militant groups responsible for the strike.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran does not welcome the expansion of conflict in the region," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said in a statement, adding that Tehran "is not involved in the decisions of the resistance groups."

Iran has previously said it sees it as its "duty" to support what it calls "resistance groups" in the region but insists they are "independent" in decision and action.

Iran's denials of involvement lack credibility because of the direct funding these groups receive from Tehran and the training and weapons they receive from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Tensions have surged in the region following Iranian proxy Hamas's October 7 terrorist attack on Israel.

Tehran hailed the Hamas attack as a "success" but denied any involvement despite years of funding and training for the group.

Since mid-October, US and allied forces in Iraq and Syria have been targeted in about 160 attacks, according to the Pentagon, and Washington has carried out retaliatory strikes in both countries.

Many of the attacks on US personnel have been claimed by the so-called Islamic Resistance in Iraq.

One such attack in Syria in late December highlighted how these indiscriminate attacks undermine efforts against ISIS and cause civilian casualties and damage to properties.

There has also been violence involving Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, with near-daily cross-border exchanges of fire between Hizbullah and Israel.

Since mid-November, Yemen's Houthis, who receive extensive support from Iran, have been attacking and harassing ships traversing international shipping lanes in the Red Sea.

The attacks on international merchant ships have caused massive disruption to global maritime commerce and shipping traffic and have led to an increase in the price of oil and other vital goods.

Retaliating for the Houthis' attacks, the US and UK militaries have carried out strikes against Houthi bases in Yemen.

The US government on January 17 put the Houthis back on a list of "terrorist" entities because of their repeated attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea.

Although Tehran does not acknowledge that it arms and funds the Houthis, the Iranian regime has overtly thrown its full support behind the group, lavishing them with praise for the havoc they are wreaking in the Red Sea.

The Houthis "have truly done a great job," Iranian leader Ali Khamenei said in a speech on January 16.