Three Americans Killed in Syrian Territory by Suspected Islamic State Assailant, US Defense Department Says
A deadly ambush in central Syria on Saturday resulted in the deaths of two US army soldiers and a US civilian translator, with a number of others injured, according to the US Department of Defense.
The assault on American forces in the ancient town of Palmyra marks the initial incident to inflict casualties following the fall of ex-leader Bashar al-Assad approximately a year prior.
"This assault took place while the service members were carrying out a key leader engagement," an official said. "The operation was in aid of on-going anti-ISIS / counter-terrorism missions in the area."
The assailant responsible for the shooting was killed by allied troops, according to a declaration from the US defense secretary.
Specifics Withheld Out of Respect
US CENTCOM indicated that, to respect the privacy for the loved ones and in accordance with policy, the identities of the deceased personnel will not be released until a full day after their next of kin have been notified.
Initial accounts from local news agencies and a war monitor said that gunfire erupted during a tour by American troops to the central town of Palmyra.
Varying Reports Surface
Per a state-run news agency, a pair of local security forces and a number of US personnel were wounded in the incident. The injured were reportedly evacuated by helicopters to a military base near the frontier with neighboring countries.
An official for the Syrian government said a shooter affiliated with Islamic State began shooting at the entrance of a military post. Officials are investigating whether the individual was a formal member of the organization or merely espoused its extreme ideology.
The official further refuted a claim from a UK-based rights group that the gunman was a member of the security forces.
Ongoing American Deployment in Syria
The United States maintains a military presence stationed in eastern Syria as a component of a multinational alliance combating the Islamic State.
Despite being declared defeated in Syria in recent years, the group's sleeper cells continue to execute deadly attacks. UN estimates suggest the faction still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in both Syria and Iraq.
US troops have been targeted in the past. Among the deadliest previous attacks occurred in 2019 in northern Syria, when an explosion claimed the lives of two US service members and two American civilians, among others.
