A Trio of US Citizens Fatally Wounded in Syria by Alleged Islamic State Gunman, US Defense Department Says
A deadly ambush in the heart of Syria on Saturday led to the deaths of two US army soldiers and a US civilian translator, with a number of others wounded, according to the US Department of Defense.
This offensive on US troops in the historic city of Tadmur marks the initial incident to inflict casualties following the ouster of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad roughly a year ago.
"The attack occurred as the service members were conducting a key leader engagement," an official said. "The operation was in support of ongoing counter-ISIS / counter-terrorism operations in the region."
The attacker behind the gunfire was eliminated by partner forces, as confirmed by a declaration from the Secretary of Defense.
Details Kept Private Out of Respect
US CENTCOM indicated that, as a matter of respect for the loved ones and in accordance with policy, the identities of the fallen service members will not be released until 24 hours after their families have been informed.
Initial accounts from Syrian state media and a conflict observatory stated that gunfire erupted during a visit by US soldiers to the central town of Tadmur.
Varying Reports Surface
According to a state-run news agency, two members of local security forces and a number of US personnel were injured in the incident. The injured were reportedly transported by aircraft to a military base near the border with neighboring countries.
A spokesperson for Syria's interior ministry claimed a shooter affiliated with ISIS began shooting at the gate of a military post. Officials are investigating whether the assailant was a card-carrying member of the group or simply espoused its extreme ideology.
The official further denied a report from a Britain-based rights group that the attacker was a security member.
Ongoing US Presence in Syria
The US maintains hundreds of troops deployed in Syria's east as part of a broader coalition combating the ISIS militant group.
Even after being militarily routed in the country in recent years, the organization's sleeper cells continue to execute lethal strikes. United Nations estimates indicate the group still has thousands of fighters in Syria and Iraq.
US troops have been targeted in the before. Among the deadliest prior incidents took place in that year in the north, when an explosion claimed the lives of two US service members and US civilians, among additional casualties.
