(CNN) — Three U.S. soldiers killed in a drone strike targeting a U.S. post in Jordan were identified on Monday as Sergeant William Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Georgia. Specialist Kennedy Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Georgia; and Specialist Breonna Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Georgia, according to the Department of Defense.
All are assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, a U.S. Army Reserve unit stationed at Fort Moore, Georgia, Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singer said in a briefing.
Singh said that more than 40 people were injured in the attack, and this number may continue to rise.
The eight injured were taken to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany for additional treatment.
A U.S. official told CNN on Monday that all eight people were in stable condition. Officials said they expect the number of injuries to fluctuate as more service members seek medical attention for symptoms of traumatic brain injury, which can develop over time.
The drone approached a U.S. military outpost known as Tower 22 around the same time a U.S. drone returned to base, two U.S. officials told U.S. News, raising questions about whether the device was hostile. certainty, and resulted in a delay in the U.S. response. CNN.
One official said the enemy drone followed the U.S. forces as they approached, but it was unclear whether the enemy drone was intentionally following the Americans or if it was purely coincidental. U.S. authorities are also assessing the origin of the enemy drones.
Sunday’s attack marked a major escalation after some 165 attacks targeting U.S. and coalition forces since Oct. 17, further raising concerns about a broader conflict in the Middle East as the U.S. and its allies tense on multiple fronts. The situation is getting worse and worse. A U.S. official told CNN there have been six attacks since Friday, including a drone attack on Sunday and multiple rocket attacks on the Shadadi patrol base in Syria on Monday morning.
While Iran-backed groups have continued to launch attacks on U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria, seriously injuring one person and injuring dozens more, which officials said were relatively minor, the U.S. has also been taking action against the Houthis in Yemen. The organization is also supported by Iran. Iran, known for its attacks on commercial shipping. Meanwhile, Israel continues its fight against Hamas in Gaza and launches attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
There is consensus that an Iran-backed group was behind the deadly drone strike, although the United States is still working to determine which group is responsible. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told CNN’s Phil Mattingly on Monday that the White House believes “the group is supported by Kataeb Hezbollah, which is backed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iraq and Syria.” One of the major organizations”.
“This one left a lethal legacy that the previous attacks didn’t have,” Kirby said. “But that doesn’t mean the previous attacks weren’t deadly, just that we were able to defeat them.”
The United States has struck sites linked to the group in Iraq in recent weeks and earlier this month targeted a member of the group who a U.S. official said was responsible for “American blood.”
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed “anger and sadness” over the deaths of three U.S. military personnel before meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Pentagon on Monday morning.
“First, I express my anger and sadness over the deaths of three brave American service members and other injured soldiers in Jordan,” Austin said. “The president and I will not tolerate attacks on U.S. troops and will take all necessary steps to defend America and our army.”
US identifies three soldiers killed in Jordan attack
