Islamic Republic-backed terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria vacated their military posts Monday in anticipation of U.S. retaliation following the death of three American soldiers near the Northeastern part of Jordan over the weekend.
The terrorist fighters reportedly evacuated their positions along the Iraq-Syria border, leaving only one or two guards to operate each post, a source from the Islamic Resistance in Iraq umbrella group told al-Araby al-Jadeed, a London-based pan-Arab news outlet owned by Qatari company Fadaat Media. After leaving their positions, the terrorist leaders decreased their use of mobile phones for fear of being tracked and targeted, the source told Al-Araby al-Jadeed.
The Tehran-supported fighters in east Syria also reportedly began evacuating their posts in strongholds in Mayadeen and Boukamal, Omar Abu Layla, a Europe-based activist who heads the Deir Ezzor 24 media outlet told The Associated Press (AP).
Following the weekend attack, President Joe Biden said the U.S. would "hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing." Biden blamed the deadly attack on "radical Iran-backed militia groups."
According to reports, the Iran-backed proxies struck American troops residing in their barracks early in the morning on Sunday.
The Islamic Republic of Iran's Foreign Ministry denied his country's involvement.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin echoed the President's statements.
Around 34 personnel were injured in the attack, but that number is expected to change as more people seek care, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command. Eight personnel were evacuated from Jordan for higher-level care but are now in stable care.
In Congress, Republicans in the Senate and House have called on the administration to respond to the attacks against American personnel, calling on the President to take a tougher stance on the Islamic Republic of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), which is responsible for providing financial and military training to various terrorist proxies in the Middle East region.
Following the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre against Israel in 2023, Iran-backed groups like Kataib Hezbollah and others have ramped up their attacks against American troops in Iraq and Syria, launching missiles and drones at various military bases.
In Yemen, the Iran-backed Houthis have and continue to attack U.S. Naval and commercial ships despite retaliatory strikes by the U.S. and British forces against Houthi-military infrastructures.
Despite international condemnation and sanctions from the U.S., Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top leaders from the IRGC vow to support their terrorist proxies against Israel and American forces, hoping to push Washington out of the Middle East.
Related Story: 3 U.S. Soldiers Killed by Iran Terror Groups Near Jordan-Syria Border
