A Trio of US Citizens Fatally Wounded in Syrian Territory by Suspected Islamic State Assailant, Pentagon Says
A deadly attack in central Syria on Saturday led to the deaths of two US army soldiers and one American civilian interpreter, with several other people wounded, according to the US Department of Defense.
The assault on American forces in the historic town of Palmyra marks the first event to cause fatalities following the ouster of ex-leader Bashar al-Assad approximately a year prior.
"The attack occurred as the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement," an official said. "The operation was in support of ongoing anti-ISIS / counter-terrorism operations in the area."
The attacker behind the gunfire was eliminated by partner forces, according to a declaration from the Secretary of Defense.
Specifics Withheld Out of Respect
US CENTCOM noted that, to respect the privacy for the families and in line with policy, the names of the deceased personnel will be withheld until a full day after their families have been informed.
Initial accounts from Syrian state media and a conflict observatory stated that gunfire rang out during a visit by US soldiers to the central town of Palmyra.
Varying Accounts Emerge
According to a government news agency, two members of local security forces and several US personnel were wounded in the exchange. Those hurt were reportedly transported by helicopters to a garrison near the frontier with Iraq and Jordan.
A spokesperson for Syria's interior ministry claimed a gunman linked to Islamic State began shooting at the gate of a army position. Officials are investigating whether the individual was a formal member of the group or simply espoused its radical beliefs.
The official also refuted a claim from a Britain-based rights group that the attacker was a member of the security forces.
Continued American Deployment in Syria
The United States currently has a military presence deployed in Syria's east as a component of a broader coalition fighting the ISIS militant group.
Despite being declared defeated in Syria in 2019, the organization's dormant networks continue to execute deadly attacks. United Nations assessments suggest the faction still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
US troops have been attacked in the past. Among the deadliest prior incidents occurred in 2019 in northern Syria, when an explosion claimed the lives of American soldiers and US civilians, among additional casualties.
