Three US Citizens Killed in Syrian Territory by Suspected Islamic State Gunman, US Defense Department Says
A fatal ambush in central Syria on Saturday resulted in the loss of a pair of American troops and one American civilian interpreter, with a number of others injured, according to the Pentagon.
The assault on US troops in the historic city of Palmyra represents the first event to cause fatalities since the ouster of ex-leader Bashar al-Assad approximately a year ago.
"This assault occurred as the service members were conducting a key leader engagement," a Pentagon spokesperson said. "Their mission was in support of on-going counter-ISIS / anti-terror missions in the area."
The attacker behind the gunfire was eliminated by partner forces, as confirmed by a declaration from the US defense secretary.
Specifics Kept Private Out of Respect
Central Command indicated that, to respect the privacy for the families and in accordance with policy, the identities of the deceased personnel will not be released until 24 hours after their families have been informed.
Initial accounts from local news agencies and a war monitor said that gunfire erupted during a visit by American troops to the area of Tadmur.
Varying Accounts Emerge
Per a government news agency, two members of local security forces and several US personnel were wounded in the incident. The injured were reportedly transported by helicopters to a military base near the frontier with neighboring countries.
An official for the Syrian government said a shooter linked to ISIS began shooting at the entrance of a military post. Officials are investigating whether the individual was a card-carrying member of the group or merely espoused its radical beliefs.
This spokesperson also refuted a claim from a UK-based rights group that the gunman was a security member.
Ongoing US Presence in the Region
The US maintains a military presence stationed in eastern Syria as part of a broader coalition combating the ISIS militant group.
Despite being militarily routed in the country in recent years, the group's dormant networks still execute lethal strikes. United Nations assessments suggest the group retains thousands of militants in both Syria and Iraq.
US troops have previously been attacked in the past. Among the deadliest previous attacks occurred in that year in northern Syria, when an blast claimed the lives of two US service members and US civilians, among others.
