Three Americans Fatally Wounded in Syria by Suspected Islamic State Assailant, US Defense Department Reports
A fatal ambush in the heart of Syria on Saturday resulted in the deaths of a pair of American troops and one American civilian interpreter, with a number of others wounded, according to the US Department of Defense.
The assault on US troops in the ancient town of Palmyra represents the initial incident to cause fatalities since the ouster of ex-leader Bashar al-Assad approximately a year prior.
"This assault took place while the soldiers were carrying out a high-level meeting," a Pentagon spokesperson said. "The operation was in support of on-going anti-ISIS / counter-terrorism operations in the region."
The attacker behind the gunfire was killed by partner forces, according to a statement from the US defense secretary.
Details Withheld Out of Respect
US CENTCOM noted that, to respect the privacy for the families and in accordance with policy, the identities of the fallen service members will be withheld until a full day after their next of kin have been notified.
Initial accounts from local news agencies and a conflict observatory said that shots rang out during a tour by US soldiers to the area of Palmyra.
Varying Accounts Surface
Per a government news agency, two members of Syria's security force and several US personnel were wounded in the exchange. Those hurt were reportedly transported by helicopters to a garrison near the border with neighboring countries.
A spokesperson for the Syrian government claimed a shooter affiliated with Islamic State opened fire at the gate of a army position. Authorities are looking into whether the individual was a formal member of the group or merely espoused its radical beliefs.
The official further refuted a report from a Britain-based monitoring group that the attacker was a security member.
Ongoing American Deployment in Syria
The US maintains a military presence stationed in eastern Syria as part of a broader coalition fighting the Islamic State.
Even after being declared defeated in the country in 2019, the organization's sleeper cells continue to carry out lethal strikes. United Nations assessments suggest the faction retains thousands of militants in both Syria and Iraq.
US troops have been attacked in the past. Among the deadliest prior incidents occurred in that year in the north, when an blast claimed the lives of two US service members and US civilians, among additional casualties.
