Three US Citizens Killed in Syrian Territory by Alleged Islamic State Gunman, US Defense Department Says
A deadly ambush in central Syria on Saturday resulted in the loss of two US army soldiers and a US civilian translator, with a number of others wounded, according to the Pentagon.
This offensive on American forces in the ancient city of Palmyra represents the initial incident to cause fatalities since the fall of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad approximately a year prior.
"The attack took place while the service members were carrying out a high-level meeting," an official stated. "Their mission was in support of on-going anti-ISIS / anti-terror operations in the region."
The assailant behind the shooting was killed by partner forces, according to a statement from the US defense secretary.
Details Kept Private Out of Respect
US CENTCOM noted that, to respect the privacy for the loved ones and in line with standard procedure, the names of the deceased personnel will not be released until a full day after their families have been informed.
Earlier reports from Syrian state media and a conflict observatory said that gunfire erupted during a tour by American troops to the area of Tadmur.
Varying Accounts Surface
According to a state-run media outlet, two members of Syria's security force and a number of US personnel were injured in the exchange. The injured were reportedly transported by helicopters to a garrison near the border with neighboring countries.
A spokesperson for the Syrian government said a gunman affiliated with Islamic State opened fire at the entrance of a army position. Authorities are looking into whether the individual was a formal member of the organization or simply espoused its radical beliefs.
The official further denied a report from a Britain-based monitoring group that the attacker was a security member.
Ongoing US Presence in Syria
The United States currently has hundreds of troops deployed in eastern Syria as part of a broader coalition combating the ISIS militant group.
Despite being declared defeated in the country in recent years, the organization's dormant networks still carry out deadly attacks. United Nations assessments suggest the faction still has between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in both Syria and Iraq.
US troops have been attacked in the before. One of the most severe prior incidents occurred in that year in the north, when an blast killed American soldiers and US civilians, among others.
