Three US soldiers are killed in a drone strike near the Syrian border

Three US soldiers were killed in a drone strike in Jordan, near the Syrian border, where Iran-backed militias have carried out more than 150 attacks on bases housing US troops in recent months , the army said on Sunday.

A one-way attack drone crashed into the Jordanian base Saturday night, killing the three U.S. service members and injuring 25 others, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement. One of the Iranian-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq done attack, but the facts of the incident were still being assessed, the White House also said.

“Today, America's heart is heavy,” President Joe Biden said in the statement.

The attack marks a major escalation as it is the first time US service members have been killed. A critical attack on December 25 on a base in Iraq injured a service member, who is recovering in the hospital.

CENTCOM is withholding the names of fallen troops until their next of kin have been notified, which usually happens within 24 hours of the incident.

Biden called the attack “less than despicable and totally unfair.”

“We will continue with your commitment to fight terrorism. And make no doubt: We will hold all those responsible accountable at the time and in the manner we choose,” Biden said.

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