Shots were fired at U.S. and Syrian forces on March 30, 2024, during a visit by American troops to the historic town of Palmyra. The incident resulted in multiple injuries, according to Syrian state media and a war monitoring group. The state-run SANA news agency reported that two members of the Syrian security forces and several U.S. service members sustained wounds in the attack.
The violence occurred near Palmyra, a location known for its significant archaeological heritage. The wounded were evacuated by helicopters to the al-Tanf garrison, located near the borders of Iraq and Jordan. SANA stated that the attacker was killed, although additional details about the incident were not disclosed.
A U.S. defense official confirmed awareness of the reports but did not provide further information, citing the need for anonymity due to restrictions on speaking with the media. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group, indicated that at least three Syrian security personnel were injured along with several Americans. It also reported that the assailant was affiliated with the Syrian security forces.
U.S. troops are stationed in eastern Syria as part of a coalition aimed at combating the Islamic State group. This deployment has continued despite changing political dynamics in the region. Last month, Syria officially joined the international coalition against IS, coinciding with improved relations between Damascus and Western nations following the fall of President Bashar Assad in 2023.
The U.S. military maintains a presence in various regions of Syria, including the al-Tanf garrison in the central province of Homs. This presence is part of a broader effort to train local forces to counter the resurgence of IS. U.S. service members have faced attacks in the past, with one of the deadliest incidents occurring in January 2019 in the northern town of Manbij, which resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and two civilians.
As the situation in Syria continues to evolve, the implications of this attack underscore the complexities and risks faced by both U.S. and Syrian forces in the region.
