U.S. and Syrian Forces Respond to Attack in Palmyra, Syria
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, a lone gunman attacked a meeting between U.S. military personnel and a Syrian Ministry of Interior official in Palmyra, Syria. The incident occurred during a meeting in the city, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing a U.S. officer.
Reports indicate the assailant appeared at a window and opened fire, leading to a response from both American and Syrian forces, resulting in the gunman’s death.
Following the attack, a director within the foreign ministry of the Syrian government asserted Syria’s commitment to working with partners to prevent the resurgence of ISIS. Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shabbani condemned the terrorist attack on the joint American-Syrian counter-terrorism patrol near Palmyra.
Tom Barak, the U.S. Special Representative for Syria, stated that a limited number of American forces remain in Syria to defeat ISIS and protect the U.S. from terrorism. Barak added that the U.S. would pursue any individual or entity involved in financing or participating in the attack, alongside the Syrian government.
The U.S. Special Representative emphasized that the mission to defeat ISIS would not be abandoned and any attacks on Americans would be met with a swift and decisive response. Barak also claimed the U.S. welcomes the commitment of the Syrian president to identify and hold accountable those responsible for the attack.
Following the incident, local sources in Syria reported that U.S. warplanes illuminated the skies over Palmyra in the Homs province with flares. These sources also indicated that U.S. forces withdrew from Palmyra after conducting arrest operations that lasted approximately two hours.
