2 Syrian security personnel, several US troops injured in shooting attack in central Syria

By Laith Al-jnaidi and Rania Abu Shamala

DAMASCUS/ ISTANBUL (AA) – Two Syrian security personnel and several US troops were injured on Saturday when a joint patrol came under gunfire near the city of Palmyra in central Syria, local media said.

The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), citing an unnamed security source, said Syrian security forces and US troops were fired upon while carrying out a joint patrol near Palmyra. The attacker was killed.

No details were provided on the motives or circumstances of the incident.

The attack led to a temporary closure of a highway linking Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria with Damascus, the source said, noting intensive aerial activity was reported over the area following the attack.

According to the source, US helicopters intervened to evacuate the wounded to the Al-Tanf base in southeastern Syria.

The incident occurred in an area known for the presence and activity of sleeper cells affiliated with the ISIS (Daesh) terrorist group, which continues to carry out surprise attacks across Syria’s vast southeastern desert.

US forces operate in Syria as part of an international coalition against ISIS, which was formed under US leadership in 2014. Syria joined the coalition on Nov. 12, 2025.

The coalition has carried out military operations against ISIS in Syria and Iraq since its formation, involving several countries, though Damascus was not previously a party to it.

Since the overthrow of the former regime of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Syria’s new administration has been seeking to restore security and stabilize conditions across the country.