WASHINGTON – The United States has determined the Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI) was responsible for a weekend drone strike that killed three American soldiers in Jordan, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday as the Biden administration prepared to launch a counterattack.
The IRI is an umbrella organization of Iranian proxy militias, including Kataib Hezbollah, which has also been involved in at least 165 attacks against US and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria since Oct. 17.
President Biden vowed this week to respond to Saturday’s attack, which represented the first time an American soldier was killed by enemy fire in the region-wide conflict that began with the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel.
The location of a drone attack on US troops in Jordan at a base called Tower 22 is seen Sunday, January 28, 2024. Google Earth
As critics complain that the US has not acted quickly enough in striking back at those responsible for military deaths, Kirby cautioned that “just because you haven’t seen anything in the last 48 hours, doesn’t mean you won’t see anything.”
The spokesman added that the administration’s response could be multifaceted and involve a series of attacks rather than a single attack.
“I would also remind you not to think that the first thing you see (will) be the last,” Kirby said.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on Wednesday the US believed the attack was planned. Reuters
The response is not expected to include aid from other countries that make up the coalition forces in the region.
“We are focused on the US response,” Kirby said. “They killed American soldiers.”
In addition to the three killed Saturday, more than 80 US troops have been injured in a recent series of Tehran-backed attacks in the Middle East, according to the Pentagon.
Katib Hezbollah announced today that it would end its attacks on American forces in the region, but Kirby said words would not be enough to stop the US from continuing to retaliate.
Pentagon spokesman Air Force Brig. General Pat Ryder said on Tuesday it was still unknown whether Hezbollah would carry out its pledge.
“Actions speak louder than words,” he said.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
