US military issues major update after missing service member in attack | World | News
The US military has issued a major update after a service member went missing after an Iranian attack in Jordan. Unidentified remains have now been found at the location, officials have now revealed.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said military personnel made the discovery on Sunday following a “thorough search”, after announcing that two US service members had been killed and another was missing following the attack on July 17.An examination process is now underway to verify the remains, meaning the fate of the missing service member has not yet been officially confirmed. CENTCOM said in its latest update: “Yesterday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the passing of two U.S. service members and the missing status of one in Jordan following an Iranian attack on July 17. After a thorough search, U.S. military personnel found unidentified remains at the location earlier today. An examination process to verify the remains is ongoing.”
In a separate development, CENTCOM confirmed that another US service member was killed in action in northern Iraq on July 18 during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian one-way attack drone.
A second service member was wounded and continues to receive medical treatment for what CENTCOM described as a minor injury.
CENTCOM said it was withholding further information, including the identities of the missing and fallen service members, “out of respect for the families during the notification process”.
The latest strikes form part of a week-long campaign that has seen Iran target US-allied countries across the Middle East
The deaths of the two American service members in Jordan were announced as Tehran launched ballistic missile and drone attacks in the region following consecutive nights of US strikes targeting Iran.
Iran also launched attacks targeting Bahrain and Jordan, while Kuwait’s armed forces said Iranian ballistic missiles and drones had been intercepted.
One of the strikes targeted Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, also known as Azraq, a joint Royal Jordanian Air Force and US Air Force installation in Jordan’s Zarqa Governorate.
The base has hosted US F-15, F-22 and F-35 fighter jets, as well as MQ-9 Reaper drones, making it a significant hub for American airpower in the region.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth responded previosuly to the deaths of the two American service members in Jordan in a social media post, writing: “Godspeed, heroes. Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve.”
