In response to a deadly attack near the city of Palmyra last Monday, Syrian state media reported the launch of a military operation targeting Islamic State (ISIS) cells in the areas of Furqlus, al-Qaryatayn, and the desert regions of Homs province.
The attack, which occurred during a meeting between US military personnel and local leaders, killed two US soldiers and an American interpreter, as well as two members of the Syrian security forces. Three others were wounded.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said a lone ISIS attacker ambushed a US patrol. A Syrian security source stated that the assailant targeted the outer security perimeter of the meeting before being killed in a firefight, without reaching the room where the American officials were present.
Syria’s Interior Ministry said coalition forces had failed to take into account earlier warnings about potential attacks by the group.
The developments come just weeks after Damascus officially announced its accession to the US-led international coalition against ISIS.
Despite losing its wide territorial control in 2019, ISIS continues to carry out sporadic attacks through sleeper cells operating in Syria’s desert regions.
