TWO American soldiers and a US civilian have been killed in a horror attack in Syria – which also left three others wounded.
US-led forces were conducting operations against Islamic State terrorism in the north-east of the country when the terrifying ambush unfolded.
The Pentagon said: “Today in Palmyra, Syria, two United States Army soldiers and one civilian U.S. interpreter were killed, and three were wounded.
“The attack occurred as the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement.
“Their mission was in support of on-going counter-ISIS / counter-terrorism operations in the region.”
The American civilian who was killed was working as an interpreter.
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US authorities said the soldiers’ identities would be released in 24 hours and confirmed the attack was being investigated.
Syrian forces, working alongside US troops to combat terror groups in the region, said their convoy was targeted while on a patrol.
The unidentified gunman is understood to have opened fire on the patrol in the central Syrian town of Palmyra on Saturday.
According to state media, two Syrian service personnel were injured and the attacker was killed when allied troops responded to the shots.
Helicopters were reportedly used to evacuate those injured to a US base in Al-Tanf near the border with Iraq.
The Department of War previously said they were “aware of reports” but said it had “nothing additional to provide at this time”, according to Fox News.
American forces stationed in Syria are part of a US-led coalition fighting Islamic State terrorism – which includes troops from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The Kurdish-led militia have been assisted by US troops in the north-east of the country as part of a decade-long effort.
The US reportedly had about 1,500 troops in Syria as of June this year – following withdrawals ordered by the Pentagon.
Their main objective is to apply pressure to and combat the Islamic State, or ISIS.
At its height more than a decade ago, at least 30,000 foreign fighters – including around 900 Britons – travelled to the Middle East to fight for the Islamist terror network.
Following the toppling of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad last December, the White House has been withdrawing troops from the Middle Eastern country.
Since al-Assad’s escape to Russia, the Islamic State has continued to recruit fighters and carry out barbaric attacks.
At the same time, IS propagandists have been using AI tools alongside popular social-media platforms to amplify their activities and reach global audiences.
These tools allow propaganda teams to translate and spread Arabic documents into dozens of languages.
The materials are then posted on platforms such as Facebook, where they can reach large audiences before being detected and removed.
All this is taking place against the backdrop of intensified military action against IS in the region.
In September, a suspected militant was killed in a British airstrike in northern Syria – the latest operation carried out as part of Operation Shader, the UK mission targeting IS fighters in Iraq and Syria.
The strike came after the US announced last year that it would end its operations in the region, with a 12-month winding-down period before withdrawal.
The UK, however, continues its efforts through Operation Shader to prevent IS from regaining a foothold.
The Assad Dynasty
THE Assad dynasty in Syria began with Hafez al-Assad – who seized power in 1971 through a military coup and established an authoritarian regime.
His rule focused on centralised government control, military strength, suppression of dissent, aligning Syria closely with the Soviet Union and an anti-Israel stance.
He established a cult of personality and corruption flourished as loyalty to Hafez became the most important value.
Bashar was not the first choice to succeed his father, with his elder son Bassel groomed to take over the role.
Bashar was working as an ophthalmologist at Western Eye Hospital in London when Bassel died in a car crash in 1994.
Suddenly, Bashar became the heir apparent and was called back to Damascus to be groomed for leadership.
He spent six and a half years learning the ropes from his father and working in the military.
Hafez died from a heart attack in 2000 and, with the loyalty of his party, transferred power to Bashar, establishing the first Arab dynastic republic.
Initially, there were hopes for liberal reforms under Bashar, but hopes faded as he instead continued his father’s repressive policies.
When protesters rose up in 2011, Assad brutally sought to crush them with harsh violence.
But he lost the support of many of his people and brought about the Syrian Civil War.
In 2013, the cruel dictator even used chemical weapons on rebel areas as he did anything to stay in power.
The civil war dragged on killing hundreds of thousands, destroying cities, and opening the way for ISIS to flourish.
Eventually, Assad gained the upper hand after Iran sent in Hezbollah crack forces and Russia sent in jets to bomb rebels and mercenary group Wagner to fight them.
It appeared that Assad was on the brink of winning the war last year with the rebels confined to an area in the north-west of the country.
Assad chose not to negotiate with the rebels and instead sought to defeat them completely.
But the rebels launched a surprise offensive on November 27 and swept aside Assad’s corrupt and disloyal army.
After seizing Damascus in a swift and decisive offensive, rebel forces declared victory and announced that the city was “free of Assad”.
The dictator fled Syria in total humiliation – having to issue a statement through the Russians that he had resigned the presidency and left the country.
Bashar has been given refuge in Moscow and is currently under Russian protection.
The collapse of the 54-year-old Assad dynasty ignited celebrations across Syria.
In the capital, thousands poured into the streets, waving rebel flags and lighting flares.
Statues of Assad and his late father, Hafez, were toppled in symbolic acts of defiance.