Shots were fired at both U.S. and Syrian forces on Saturday during a visit by American troops to the historic city of Palmyra, resulting in several injuries. According to state-run Syrian media and a war monitor, the incident occurred near the famed archaeological site, with reports indicating that two members of Syria’s security forces and multiple U.S. service members sustained injuries.
The official Syrian news agency, SANA, reported that the wounded were evacuated by helicopter to the al-Tanf garrison, located near the borders of Iraq and Jordan. While SANA confirmed the death of the assailant, further details about the incident remain scarce.
A U.S. defense official acknowledged awareness of the situation but provided no immediate information, citing the official’s anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group, reported that at least three Syrian security personnel were injured alongside several American troops. It identified the attacker as a member of the Syrian security force.
U.S. military presence in Syria includes hundreds of troops deployed in the eastern region as part of a coalition aimed at combating the Islamic State group. This engagement has persisted despite the shifting political landscape in Syria, particularly after last year’s upheaval when insurgents captured the seat of power from President Bashar Assad.
The recent incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by U.S. forces, who have been targets in the past. One of the most severe attacks occurred in 2019 in the northern town of Manbij, where a blast claimed the lives of two U.S. service members and two American civilians, in addition to several others from Syria during a routine patrol.
As the situation develops, the implications for international military operations in Syria remain significant, especially as Damascus has recently improved relations with Western nations. The coalition against the Islamic State continues to adapt to changing dynamics, with both U.S. and Syrian forces working in a complex environment marked by ongoing tensions and violence.
