Tower 22: The Secret Drone Base Targeting Iran-Backed Militias
In a shocking revelation, Tower 22, the U.S. base located in Jordan, has been exposed as more than just a “logistics support base” as claimed by the Pentagon. According to two U.S. military sources, Tower 22 is also a drone base that conducts long-range reconnaissance on militants in neighboring Syria and Iraq for airstrikes. Additionally, the base serves as a staging facility for special operations forces and a medevac helicopter home base.
While the Pentagon initially stated that Tower 22’s mission was to combat ISIS, its focus has shifted to targeting Iran-backed militia groups since Hamas’s assault on Israel in October. However, the Defense Department has failed to acknowledge this shift, continuing to insist that the base’s purpose is solely related to the war on ISIS.
An airman from the Air Force, whose unit was recently stationed at Tower 22, dismisses the Pentagon’s claim that it is a logistics support base, stating, “To call Tower 22 a logistics support base is complete bullshit.” He reveals that the main objective of the base is to operate drones for spying on insurgents in Iraq and Syria, with the primary goal of taking out targets. Tower 22 provides targeting intelligence to Air Force assets stationed at other bases in Jordan for strikes.
The recent drone attack that resulted in the deaths of three American service members at Tower 22 highlighted the presence of drones at the base. Initially, unnamed officials suggested that the drone managed to enter the base because it was mistaken for another friendly drone returning. However, subsequent investigations revealed that the base lacked adequate air defenses. Despite these findings, few questioned the Pentagon’s claim that Tower 22’s purpose was solely logistics.
Experts and defense sources shed light on Tower 22’s true purpose as a crucial base for supporting hostilities with Iran-aligned groups. This revelation comes at a time when the Biden administration insists that it does not want war with Tehran. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated that the troops killed in the drone attack were deployed to work towards defeating ISIS. However, experts argue that the counter-ISIS mission is unlikely to be the main focus.
Former State Department legal adviser Brian Finucane suggests that Tower 22’s purpose shifted from fighting ISIS to focusing on Iran-aligned groups due to pressure from hawks within the Trump administration. One of Tower 22’s functions is to provide support to Al-Tanf, a nearby U.S. military base in Syria officially tasked with combating ISIS. However, a Pentagon inspector general report found that there were no combat incidents involving coalition forces at Al-Tanf, indicating a diminished role for both bases in the fight against ISIS.
The recent conflict between Israel and Iranian-backed groups in the region has further complicated the situation. The U.S. now faces the challenge of responding to attacks from groups that were not initially targeted by the anti-ISIS coalition. To justify military operations against these Iranian-aligned groups, the Pentagon has framed them as defensive in nature and necessary for force protection, leveraging the legal basis for the anti-ISIS mission.
In response to recent attacks on U.S. forces in the region, the Pentagon announced that it had killed a militia commander. The Defense Department emphasized the self-defense framing and stated that it would continue to take necessary action to protect its people.
The revelation of Tower 22’s true purpose raises questions about the transparency of the U.S. military’s operations in the region. As tensions escalate with Iran-backed groups, it remains to be seen how the U.S. will navigate this complex situation while adhering to legal frameworks and avoiding further escalation.