Kurdistan
From left: A US military base in Syria. Photo: Delil Souleiman/AFP. Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani. Photo: Office of the President.
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Monday condemned an attack on a military base housing United States troops on the Syria-Jordan border the day before.
At least three US service members were killed and 25 others injured as a result of a drone attack on an American military base in northeast Jordan, near the Syrian border on Sunday. Washington blamed Iran-affiliated group for the attack.
“I strongly condemn the terrorist attack against U.S. forces in northeast Jordan,” wrote President Barzani on X (formerly Twitter), stating that Erbil stands in solidarity with the American people during “this difficult time.”
The Kurdistan Region president extended his condolences to the victims’ families and expressed wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured.
US bases in the Kurdistan Region’s capital of Erbil have been struck dozens of times over the past three months by Iran-aligned militias condemning Washington’s support for Israel in its war on Gaza.
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also condemned the “cowardly attack” which killed three US soldiers.
“My thoughts are with the US government and people for the tragic losses in this difficult time,” wrote
US President Joe Biden on Sunday described the deadly strike as a "despicable and wholly unjust attack,” vowing that the US will hold the perpetrators responsible at a time and manner of its choosing.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani on Monday denied allegations that Tehran was behind the attack.
“These claims are made with specific political goals to reverse the realities of our region and also indicate that they are influenced by third parties,” he said.
Iran-affiliated militias have attacked bases of the US-led global coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria with rockets and drones over 140 times since October 17. US forces have responded with several retaliatory strikes, killing at least 12 militiamen in Iraq.
This is the first time US personnel have been directly killed by Iran-affiliated militia strikes since the start of the attacks. One civilian contractor died of a heart attack during a drone attack on Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq's Anbar province. Multiple “non-serious” injuries among the troops have also been reported.
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