A Trio of US Citizens Fatally Wounded in Syrian Territory by Alleged ISIS Assailant, US Defense Department Says
A fatal ambush in the heart of Syria on Saturday morning led to the loss of a pair of American troops and a US civilian translator, with a number of others injured, as stated by the Pentagon.
The assault on American forces in the ancient town of Tadmur marks the first incident to cause fatalities following the fall of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad roughly a year prior.
"This assault occurred as the service members were conducting a high-level meeting," a Pentagon spokesperson said. "Their mission was in support of ongoing counter-ISIS / counter-terrorism missions in the area."
The attacker responsible for the gunfire was killed by allied troops, as confirmed by a statement from the US defense secretary.
Details Kept Private Out of Respect
US CENTCOM noted that, as a matter of respect for the loved ones and in accordance with standard procedure, the identities of the fallen service members will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been informed.
Earlier reports from local news agencies and a war monitor stated that gunfire erupted during a visit by American troops to the central town of Palmyra.
Conflicting Reports Emerge
Per a government media outlet, two members of local security forces and a number of US service members were injured in the incident. Those hurt were reportedly transported by aircraft to a garrison near the frontier with Iraq and Jordan.
A spokesperson for the Syrian government said a shooter linked to ISIS began shooting at the gate of a military post. Officials are looking into whether the assailant was a formal member of the organization or simply adhered to its radical beliefs.
The official further denied a report from a UK-based rights group that the gunman was a member of the security forces.
Continued American Deployment in Syria
The US 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 the country in recent years, the organization's sleeper cells continue to carry out lethal strikes. UN estimates suggest the faction still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
US troops have been attacked in the past. One of the most severe previous attacks occurred in 2019 in northern Syria, when an blast killed two US service members and two American civilians, among additional casualties.
