During the early morning hours, an armed drone struck the AL-TANF U.S. base, specifically Tower 22. Tower 22 holds United States special forces operating in Syria. The three soldiers killed all happened to be asleep. They later were identified to be Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett. All three were assigned to the 718th Engineer Company. President Biden claimed Iranian-backed militias were behind the brutal attack, leaving three service people dead and over 50 injured.
President Biden has strong feelings about the attack. He stated in a press conference, “We lost three brave soldiers in an attack on one of our bases, and we shall respond.” Troubling statistics have come out showing since October. Specifically, since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict, there have been over 150 attacks on U.S. bases and assets in and around the region. This deadly attack has sparked Bi-Partisan condemnation and a call to arms.
Biden communicated in a statement that the United States “will hold all those responsible to
account at a time and in a manner (of) our choosing.” While United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said, “We will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests.” AL-TANF is considered a critical target for a rebel strike as the base provides a FOB (Forward operating base) for U.S. forces stationed in Syria, including those which are near where the borders of Iraq, Syria, and Jordan currently intersect and where AL-TANF is located. Jordan’s Government and media Organizations condemned the attacks.
U.S. intelligence believes the group called it revenge for the US military presence in the country.
Area and death toll of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, as of January 1st, 25,000 people have been killed by Israel. U.S. intelligence believes that the group involved is Iranian-funded. However, Iran is currently denying all responsibility. “We know that Iran is behind it,” said Deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh. There was also confirmation that many soldiers involved in the attack were hospitalized due to traumatic brain injuries.
Students at Santa Rosa Academy also have strong views on this incident. I spoke with two local students at SRA. Anthony Marlow, a Santa Rosa sophomore, stated that he believes what happened was “disgusting, and derogatory in almost every way. The people who committed that act should be held accountable by any means necessary.”
I also spoke with Jonathan Griswald, a junior at Santa Rosa Academy. In the interview, he stated, “What happened was awful and never should’ve been allowed to take place. I feel bad for the families and the people.” The student reactions were those of sorrow and remorse. This situation is incredibly delicate and recent in the minds of many.
Stay tuned as the situation is constantly developing.
