US President Joe Biden vowed those responsible for the deaths of three US service members in an overnight drone attack on a small US outpost in Jordan will be held accountable, and cast blame on Iran-backed militant groups.
At least two dozens others were wounded in the attack.
"Today, America’s heart is heavy," Biden said in a statement Sunday. "Last night, three U.S. service members were killed—and many wounded—during an unmanned aerial drone attack on our forces stationed in northeast Jordan near the Syria border."
"While we are still gathering the facts of this attack, we know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq,” Biden continued.
Biden vowed the US “will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing.” He called the three fallen service members “patriots,” praising their bravery and offering his grief, calling it a “despicable and wholly unjust attack.”
“Together, we will keep the sacred obligation we bear to their families. We will strive to be worthy of their honor and valor. We will carry on their commitment to fight terrorism,” the president said.
Biden was briefed on the attack Sunday morning in South Carolina, where he is campaigning for re-election, according to the White House. He also participated in a larger virtual briefing with Vice President Kamala Harris and top national security officials later in the day, the White House said.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, national security adviser Jake Sullivan and deputy national security adviser Jon Finer provided the initial briefing.
This post has been updated with details about Biden's briefings on the attack.
CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez contributed reporting to this post.
