Avast ye! Pentagon be sayin' the Israel-Hamas war be stayin' put, even though some US sailors be sleepin' with the fishes in Jordan and Red Sea.
2024-01-29
Arrr, the Pentagon be sayin' that the Israel-Hamas war be not spreadin' in the region, mateys! Though, by Davy Jones' locker, some Iran-backed rascals did attack a military base in Jordan, takin' the lives of three brave US soldiers!
The Pentagon does not believe that the Israel-Hamas war has spread to the wider Middle East, despite recent attacks by Iran-backed militias in Jordan. These attacks resulted in the death of three U.S. soldiers and the injury of dozens more. Since October 17th, Iran-backed militia groups have carried out over 160 attacks on U.S. targets in Iraq and Syria. These groups claim that the attacks are in retaliation for U.S. support of Israel in its offensive against Hamas militants in Gaza.The attack in Jordan represents a major escalation of violence, as it is the first time U.S. soldiers have been killed and it demonstrates an expansion of reach. However, the Pentagon maintains that the conflict remains contained to Gaza and has not spread beyond that region.
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh stated that while the attack in Jordan was "escalatory" due to the loss of American service members, it does not signify a widening of the conflict. President Biden also pledged a response to the attack, emphasizing that the U.S. will hold those responsible accountable.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned against any attempts to exploit the conflict and expand it, stating that the U.S. will respond decisively to aggression. The Department of Defense reports a total of 165 attacks since October 17th, with the majority occurring in Iraq and Syria.
In addition to the Israel-Hamas war, tensions have also arisen in the Red Sea, where Houthi militants based in Yemen have been targeting commercial vessels. These attacks have forced ships to reroute at significant costs. The U.S. and its allies have conducted strikes on Houthi targets in response.
The Pentagon maintains that it does not seek war with Iran or a widening of the conflict, but it will continue to hold Iran accountable for its support of these militia groups. The recent attacks in Jordan resulted in numerous injuries, with one service member in critical but stable condition.