Tower 22: The Targeted US Outpost On Jordon-Syria Border

According to the United States military announcement, 3 US soldiers are died and nearly 34 wounded in a drone attack targeting Tower 22, a remote logistic US outpost near the Jordan-Syria border. In response to the said attack President Joe Biden affirmed to hold the attackers to account.

An Iran-linked group, Islamic Resistance in Iraq, claimed the drone attack on the military outpost raising fears of spilling the Israel-Hamas war into a regional conflict. The armed group said it was in response to US support to Israel’s war on Gaza, which claimed 26,000 people.

The killing of 3 US service personnel in an overnight drone strike is first such incidence against US forces since October 7. Experts have raised questions about the US air defence failure to detect the drone attack.

Iran has denied its involvement in the attack. “Iran had no connection and had nothing to do with the attack on the US base”, statement published by the state news agency IRNA.

Tower 22: What and where?

Tower 22 is located in Jordan’s north-east close to the borders with Syria and Iraq; and houses a small logistic outpost with at least 350 US Army and Air Force soldiers stationed.

Public information about the outpost and types of weapons and nature of air defence is limited. According to reports, Tower 22 serves as a supply hub for the nearby US garrison of Al-Tanf located across Syrian border. Al-Tanf, located on Baghdad-Damascus highway, has assumed a significant role in the fight against ISIL.

Washington has helped Amman setting up an elaborate surveillance system known as Boarder Security Programme to stem armed infiltration since Syria’s war in 2011. Jordan has a seen close security pact with the US and had been important regional ally in the region. Jordanian army is one of the largest receiver of US’ foreign military financing.