📰 US and Syrian forces injured in shooting on joint patrol near Tadmur

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – multiple members of US troops and Syrian security personnel were injured on Saturday after a joint patrol came under gunfire near the city of Tadmur (Palmyra) in central Syria, as per security sources and official statements. Security sources informed North Press that the joint patrol was conducting a field visit related to plans aimed at countering the Islamic State group in the eastern countryside of Homs province when it was targeted by a shooting attack. The sources stated, “The joint patrol was inspecting an anti-ISIS plan in the Homs countryside,” adding that an exchange of fire followed the attack. as per the same sources, the assailant was neutralized after the exchange of gunfire. “The operation resulted in injuries among multiple members of the American troops and Syrian security personnel,” the sources stated. In fact, they added that the wounded were evacuated by helicopters belonging to the International Coalition to the al-Tanf base for medical treatment.

Local sources from Tadmur informed North Press that the incident was followed by intense helicopter and warplane activity by the International Coalition over the city and its surroundings. The sources also declared a wide deployment of coalition forces alongside Syrian administration security units in the area in the hours following the attack. In fact, the shooting led to the temporary closure of the Deir ez-Zor–Damascus highway, a key route linking eastern and central Syria, local sources said. Traffic movement reportedly resumed later after security measures were put in place.

The official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) verified the incident, stating, “Syrian security forces and American forces were subjected to gunfire near the city of Tadmur during the implementation of a joint field tour. ” SANA added that “the incident resulted in the injury of two members of the Syrian security forces and several American personnel. ” Authorities have not yet identified the party responsible for the attack or clarified the motives behind it. Security sources said that relevant bodies are continuing to follow developments and investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Joint operations and coordination between US forces and local partners in Syria are primarily focused on limiting the resurgence of Islamic State cells, particularly in desert and remote areas where the group has previously carried out sporadic attacks. Efforts in this regard have centered on maintaining security along strategic routes and preventing militant movements across central Syria.

Notably, by Atoun Jan