Three US soldiers were killed and dozens were injured in a drone attack on a US military post in Jordan known as Tower 22. The Islamic Resistance group claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place this Sunday.
William Jerome Rivers, 46, Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, and Breonna Alexandria Moffett, 23 They were the first U.S. casualties in months from Iranian-backed militia attacks on U.S. forces in the Middle East.
Tower 22 is just one of many US bases in the Middle East.
WHERE ARE THE US BASES IN THE MIDDLE EAST?
The US has operated military bases in the Middle East for several decades, with more than 100,000 troops in Afghanistan in 2011 and more than 160,000 in Iraq in 2007. 30,000 American troops are dispersed throughout the region. However, since the start of the war between Israel and the Gaza Strip, the US has temporarily sent thousands of troops to the region, including on warships.
According to ReutersThe largest US base in the Middle East is in Qatar. It is known as Al Udeid Air Base and was built in 1996.
Apart from this, the US also has military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
They also have about 900 soldiers in Syria, at small bases such as the al-Omar and al-Shaddadi oil fields, mainly in the northeast of the country. Near the country’s border with Iraq and Jordan is a small outpost known as Al Tanf Garrison.
Tower 22, where Sunday’s drone attack took place, is near the Al Tanf garrison and has a strategic location as it is located at the northeasternmost point of Jordan, in the area where the country’s borders meet Syria and Iraq.
WHY ARE AMERICAN TROOPS IN THE REGION?
In accordance with ReutersAmerican troops are in the Middle East for a variety of reasons and, with the exception of Syria, they are there with the permission of each country’s government. In some countries, such as Iraq and Syria, soldiers fight Islamic State militants and help advise local forces. In other cases, such as in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, American troops are present to reassure allies. But in recent years, several American bases have come under attack by Iranian-backed forces.
ARE AMERICAN BASES ATTACKED OFTEN?
US bases are heavily guarded facilities and equipped with air defense systems to protect against missiles and drones. Facilities in countries such as Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait generally do not come under attack, but US troops in Iraq and Syria have been the target of frequent attacks in recent years.
Since October 7, the day that marks the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, American troops have been attacked more than 160 times by Iranian-backed militias.
Author: Philippa Novais
Source: CM Jornal
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