THE United States Pentagon has released the names of three soldiers who were killed in an aerial drone attack in Jordan.
Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, died on January 28, in Jordan while on base.
Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett and Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders (pictured here) were killed in an aerial drone strike while on base in JordanReuters
The three soldier’s deaths mark the first American servicemen casualties recorded since the Israeli-Palestine conflict began in OctoberAFP
Their deaths mark the first time American troops have been killed by enemy fire in the Middle East since the beginning of the Israeli-Palestine conflict began in October.
The soldiers were killed on Sunday by “radical Iran-backed militant groups” at a small US outpost in northeast Jordan, US officials said.
The Pentagon said the attack occurred when “a one-way unmanned aerial system (OWUAS) impacted their container housing units.”
Pentagon deputy press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters Monday that an Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-backed militia was to blame for the attacks.
According to previous intel, the group works out of Syria and Iraq.
President Joe Biden said the US will “respond” and “hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing”.
He said on Sunday: “Three US service members were killed – and many wounded – during an unmanned aerial drone attack on our forces stationed in northeast Jordan near the Syria border.
“While we are still gathering the facts of this attack, we know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq.”
The president said that the three American service members killed were “patriots in the highest sense” as he vowed to hold those responsible for their deaths to account.
He added: “We will carry on their commitment to fight terrorism.
“And have no doubt – we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing.”
According to the Department of Defense, the outpost where the attack occurred is named Tower 22, and 350 servicemen are currently stationed there.
When the initial report came through on Sunday, officials said that 34 people had been injured, but Singh corrected on Monday that the number has grown to 40 people.
Eight of the wounded were evacuated with some in critical condition but all marked as medically stable.
She went on to say that this attack was unlike others as it occurred during the “pretty early morning,” when personnel were still asleep.
People were actually in their beds when the drone impacted,” Singh said.
Officials have identified the drone to be a “type of Shahed drone.”
These style drones have recently also been supplied to Russia by Iran.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said claims that Iran was involved in the attack were “baseless”.
Kanaani explained that “resistance groups” do not take orders from the Islamic Republic.
Iran’s Mission to the US issued a statement insisting, “Iran had no connection and had nothing to do with the attack on the US base”.
“There is a conflict between US forces and resistance groups in the region, which reciprocate retaliatory attacks,” it added.
In her press release, Singh said that U.S. forces would respond “at a time and place of their choosing.”
Iran-backed fighters in east Syria have started evacuating their posts, fearing U.S. airstrikes, according to Omar Abu Layla, a Europe-based activist who heads the Deir Ezzor 24 media outlet.
All three servicemen who were killed were from Georgia.
Governor Brian Kemp issued a statement via X on Monday, sharing his reaction the the news of their deaths.
“Marty, the girls, and I are saddened to learn of the deaths of three service members based out of Georgia. These Soldiers gave the last full measure of devotion in service to this country,” he began.
“This inexcusable loss of life and the attack from terrorists that resulted in these casualties is a reminder of why we stand with the friends of liberty.
“The entire Kemp family asks that Georgians everywhere join us in keeping the loved ones of those lost in this attack in our thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.”
General Michael Erik Kurilla, the Commander of the U.S. Central Command shared her tribute as well.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our three Army Soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country in Jordan. Our prayers are with these loyal and courageous Soldiers’ families, friends, and the entire 718th Engineer Company – we honor their selfless service and dedication to duty,” read the X post.
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