BAGHDAD: Iraqi authorities on Monday condemned the drone attack that killed three US military personnel in Jordan, calling for an "end to the cycle of violence" in the Middle East.
"The Iraqi government condemns the ongoing escalation," government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi said in a statement, adding that it was willing "to collaborate on establishing fundamental rules to prevent further repercussions in the region and curb the escalation of conflict".
The attack against Tower 22, a logistics base located at Jordan's border with Syria, killed three US troops and wounded 34.
It is the highest number of American casualties in a single incident since groups in October escalated their attacks against US and coalition forces.
"Have no doubt -- we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing," US President Joe Biden said on Sunday has he blamed "radical groups" for the attack.
Since mid-October, there have been more than 150 drone or rocket attacks against US and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria.
The majority have been claimed by the a resistance group in Iraq, a loose alliance of armed groups that oppose US support for Israel in the Gaza conflict and wants them out of Iraq.
None of the other groups in Iraq, Syria or Yemen has so far claimed responsibility for the drone strike that killed the US soldiers.
But on Sunday the the resistance in Iraq claimed to have launched three drone attacks at bases in Syria, including near the Jordanian border.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said late on Sunday the attack had hit the remote Tower 22 logistics support base and that 34 personnel were also wounded, eight of whom required evacuation.
There are around 350 US Army and Air Force personnel at the base who operate in support roles, including for the international coalition against the Islamic State jihadist group, CENTCOM said.
Jordan's government spokesman Muhannad Mubaidin condemned the attack, as did Bahrain, Egypt and Iraq.
The escalating Middle East conflict poses a challenge to Biden in an election year.
Republican politicians were quick to take aim at Biden over the deadly attack, including his predecessor Donald Trump, who described the situation as a "consequence of Joe Biden's weakness and surrender".
The US has on occasion responded to those attacks with strikes against groups.
In relation, the United States and Britain have both carried out strikes targeting Yemen's groups, who have been attacking Red Sea shipping in support of Palestinians in Gaza for more than two months. — AFP
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