ISIS Ambush Targets US Forces in Central Syria
Two American service members and a US civilian interpreter were killed during an ambush carried out by the ISIL (ISIS) group near Palmyra in central Syria, according to the Pentagon.
The attack also left three others wounded, marking the first deadly assault on US forces since the removal of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad one year ago.
Pentagon Confirms Attacker Was Neutralised
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the lone ISIS gunman responsible for the attack was swiftly engaged and killed. US officials stated that the identities of the fallen soldiers would be released only after their families are formally notified, in line with Pentagon policy.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned that any group targeting Americans would face decisive retaliation, reinforcing Washington’s hardline stance against militant threats abroad.
Conflicting Accounts Over the Attacker’s Identity
While local officials told international media that the attacker may have been linked to Syrian security forces, Syria’s interior ministry denied that the individual held any leadership role, leaving questions over his exact status.
State media reported that Syrian and US troops were conducting a joint patrol near Palmyra when gunfire erupted, temporarily forcing the closure of a major highway and triggering emergency evacuations by US helicopters.
Why Palmyra Remains a Symbolic Target
Palmyra holds deep symbolic and strategic value. Once seized by ISIS in 2015, the group used the ancient city to stage executions and destroy priceless historical landmarks before losing control months later.
Although ISIS was officially defeated in Syria in 2018, it continues to launch sporadic attacks, exploiting lingering instability in a country still recovering from more than a decade of civil war.
Renewed Security Challenges for Post-War Syria
The incident highlights the fragile security situation in Syria, even a year after Assad’s removal. With US troops still stationed in the northeast to support anti-ISIS operations, the attack raises concerns about a possible resurgence of extremist violence during Syria’s rebuilding phase.