In a troubling development from Syria, the interior ministry announced that the gunman responsible for the deaths of three Americans in Palmyra was a member of the security forces. This individual was reportedly set to be dismissed for holding extremist views. The attack, described by the Syrian government as a “terrorist” incident, resulted in the deaths of two U.S. troops and a civilian interpreter, while the U.S. attributed the attack to an Islamic State (IS) militant, who was killed following the assault.
Noureddine al-Baba, a spokesman for the Syrian interior ministry, confirmed that authorities had already decided to terminate the perpetrator’s employment prior to the tragic event, with plans to serve the dismissal notice the very day after the attack. Furthermore, a security official disclosed to AFP that 11 members of the general security forces were arrested for questioning in connection with the incident.
The gunman had been part of the security forces for over ten months, with assignments in various cities before being moved to Palmyra. The city, which is noted for its UNESCO-listed ancient ruins, has a past under the control of the Islamic State during its peak territorial expansion in Syria. This incident marks the first reported case of such violence since Islamist factions overthrew long-standing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December of the previous year, a move that has rekindled relations between the U.S. and Syria.
In response to the attack, U.S. President Donald Trump pledged “very serious retaliation.” Reports indicated that U.S. forces had entered Palmyra via land from the Al-Tanf military base, engaging in what was described as a key leader engagement targeting counter-terrorism efforts. Some sources pointed out that shots were fired during a meeting involving Syrian and U.S. military officers at a Syrian base. However, Pentagon officials noted that the assault occurred in an area allegedly outside of the Syrian president’s control.
Following the incident, Syrian authorities commenced an operation targeting IS cells throughout Homs province, where Palmyra is situated. In remarks addressing the situation, U.S. Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack asserted that the attack reinforced U.S. strategy to support capable local partners in the fight against ISIS, aiming to deny them safe havens and prevent their resurgence.
The Syrian interior ministry proclaimed that the ongoing terrorist attacks highlight the country’s commitment to engage internationally and take an active role in combating terrorism. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell elaborated that the attacked soldiers were engaged in critical operational engagements as part of broader counter-terror efforts.
In the midst of these escalations, Trump characterized the assault as an attack by ISIS, underscoring its implications for U.S. and regional security. He further reported that three other U.S. service members were wounded but in stable condition. Syrian state media noted that the attack had also injured two members of the Syrian security forces.
In an earlier interview, Baba indicated that there had been prior warnings regarding potential IS infiltration, noting that these alerts had not been heeded by international coalition forces. Despite being territorially defeated in Syria five years prior, IS still retains a presence, especially in the country’s expansive desert regions. Last month, amidst a significant visit by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to Washington, Syria formally aligned itself with the U.S.-led coalition against IS. U.S. military personnel remain stationed in both the Kurdish-controlled northeast and at the Al-Tanf base near the Jordanian border, as tensions continue to rise in the region.
