Three Americans Fatally Wounded in Syrian Territory by Alleged 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 Pentagon.
The assault on American forces in the ancient city of Palmyra marks the initial event to cause fatalities since the ouster of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad roughly a year ago.
"This assault occurred as the service members were carrying out a high-level meeting," a Pentagon spokesperson said. "Their mission was in support of on-going anti-ISIS / counter-terrorism operations in the area."
The assailant behind the shooting was eliminated by partner forces, according to a declaration from the US defense secretary.
Specifics Kept Private For Privacy
Central Command 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 next of kin have been notified.
Earlier reports from Syrian state media and a conflict observatory said that gunfire rang out during a tour by US soldiers to the area of Tadmur.
Varying Reports Emerge
According to a state-run news agency, a pair of Syria's security force and a number of US personnel were injured in the exchange. Those hurt were reportedly transported by aircraft to a military base near the frontier with Iraq and Jordan.
A spokesperson for Syria's interior ministry claimed a gunman linked to ISIS opened fire at the gate of a army position. Authorities are investigating whether the assailant was a card-carrying member of the organization or merely adhered to its radical beliefs.
This spokesperson also refuted a report from a Britain-based rights group that the attacker was a security member.
Ongoing US Presence in the Region
The US currently has a military presence stationed in eastern Syria as a component of a broader coalition combating the ISIS militant group.
Even after being militarily routed in Syria in recent years, the organization's dormant networks continue to execute deadly attacks. UN estimates suggest the group retains between 5,000 and 7,000 militants in Syria and Iraq.
American forces have previously been targeted in the before. One of the deadliest prior incidents occurred in that year in northern Syria, when an explosion killed American soldiers and US civilians, among others.
