Recent tensions in Syria have escalated following a deadly attack attributed to the Islamic State (IS) that targeted U.S. forces in Al-Hasakah province. President Donald Trump described the attack in a social media post on December 13, highlighting the danger of the situation in an area where IS has not been fully eliminated. He expressed the anger and concern of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa over the incident and warned of significant retaliatory measures.
The U.S. Central Command reported that two American soldiers and an interpreter lost their lives in an ambush carried out by an identified IS gunman, who was subsequently killed. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell indicated that this attack occurred in Palmyra while U.S. forces were engaged in counter-terrorism activities.
Local media sources confirmed that the incident transpired near Palmyra, where a joint patrol of Syrian government forces and U.S. troops faced the attack, resulting in injuries to at least two Syrian soldiers. The Syrian Interior Ministry had previously issued warnings to the U.S.-led coalition regarding potential IS attacks, although spokesperson Anwar al-Baba noted that prior alerts about IS’s potential resurgence were overlooked by allied forces.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led coalition that controls northeastern Syria, expressed their condolences to the U.S. regarding the tragedy. The SDF reiterated their long-standing commitment to combating terrorism and vowed to take decisive action against those responsible for the attack.
The U.S. has maintained a military presence in Syria, supporting SDF forces in the northeast and smaller rebel groups in the south. Following a significant shift in governance in Syria after the abrupt collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s administration last year, the Pentagon has also been expanding military cooperation with the newly established government under President al-Sharaa. In a meeting at the White House in November, al-Sharaa expressed his commitment to join the U.S.-led coalition in efforts to defeat IS.
In recent months, U.S. and Syrian security forces have conducted joint operations targeting IS strongholds. While the U.S. has deployed approximately 2,000 troops to Syria, the Trump administration had earlier announced potential plans to reduce the U.S. military presence and the number of bases in the region.
Despite the challenges posed by IS, the cooperation among U.S. forces and their partners in Syria demonstrates a continued commitment to stabilizing the area and countering the threat of extremism.