Syria Detains Five Over Palmyra US and Syrian Troops Shooting

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Syria has detained five individuals suspected of connections to the Friday shooting that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. military personnel and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra. The Syrian Interior Ministry disclosed this information on Sunday.

The attack targeted a convoy of U.S. and Syrian forces, leading to the death of two American soldiers and the interpreter. The assailant was shot and killed at the scene. The Ministry identified the attacker as a member of Syrian security forces who was believed to have sympathies with ISIS.

Syria has been collaborating with a U.S.-led coalition fighting ISIS, reaching an agreement last month when President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited the White House. According to the Interior Ministry, Syrian forces in Palmyra conducted operations in coordination with international coalition partners, resulting in the immediate detention of five suspects who were taken for further questioning.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani on Sunday regarding the incident. Shibani expressed condolences and reaffirmed Syria’s commitment to combating and eradicating ISIS, as confirmed by State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott.

The Ministry also stated that the attacker was evaluated days prior to the assault and was deemed to hold extremist views. A decision on his future actions was pending at the time.

In recent months, the U.S.-led coalition has launched airstrikes and ground missions targeting ISIS members in Syria, often with Syrian security forces’ involvement. Last month, Syria launched a nationwide crackdown, detaining over 70 individuals with suspected ties to ISIS.

U.S. military forces remain stationed in northeastern Syria as part of a long-term effort to dismantle ISIS, which controlled large parts of Syria and Iraq from 2014 to 2019.

Syria’s government is now led by former rebels who overthrew Bashar al-Assad last year after a 13-year civil war, including members of the former Al Qaeda affiliate who disassociated from ISIS and have clashed with the terror group.