In a concerning incident on Saturday, Syrian security forces and United States soldiers came under fire during a joint field patrol near the historic city of Palmyra, located in the central Homs region. This attack resulted in injuries to two Syrian personnel and several US service members, as reported by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).
The assailant involved in the attack was killed during the confrontation. However, SANA has not provided further details regarding the motive or the circumstances surrounding this violent event. The situation underscores the ongoing risks faced by military personnel operating in volatile regions of Syria.
As a result of the attack, traffic along the Deir Ezzor–Damascus highway was temporarily halted. This disruption was compounded by military aircraft conducting overflights in the area, highlighting the heightened security measures in response to the incident. A security source informed SANA that US helicopters were deployed to evacuate the wounded to the al-Tanf base, which is situated near the Iraqi border.
Despite the serious nature of the incident, there has been no immediate comment from the Pentagon regarding the attack or the condition of the injured personnel. The presence of US troops in northeastern Syria is part of a broader strategy that has lasted over a decade, aimed at assisting a Kurdish-led force in their ongoing battle against ISIL (ISIS).
Palmyra, once a thriving cultural hub, fell into the hands of ISIL in 2015, during the peak of their military power in Syria. The terrorist group maintained control of the city for approximately ten months, during which time they destroyed numerous ancient sites and artifacts, using others for horrific mass executions. Although ISIL was largely defeated in Syria by 2018, the group continues to carry out sporadic attacks, despite lacking control over any territory within the country.
This recent incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges in Syria, particularly in regions previously affected by ISIL’s reign of terror. As military operations continue, the safety of both local forces and international personnel remains a top priority, emphasizing the fragile state of peace in the region.