Syria has arrested five suspects following a deadly Palmyra attack on US troops, an incident that has raised fresh concerns about security threats linked to Daesh despite ongoing counterterrorism cooperation. The arrests were confirmed by Syria’s Interior Ministry after a joint operation carried out in coordination with international coalition forces.
The Palmyra attack on US troops occurred on Saturday when an assailant opened fire on a convoy of American and Syrian forces in the central Syrian town of Palmyra. The attack resulted in the deaths of two US Army soldiers and a civilian interpreter. The attacker was shot dead at the scene, bringing the immediate threat to an end, but triggering a broader security investigation.
According to Syrian officials, the attacker was a member of the country’s security forces who was suspected of holding extremist sympathies. The Interior Ministry stated that an internal assessment of the individual had been conducted just days before the attack, during which concerns were raised about his ideological leanings. However, a final decision regarding his future role had not yet been taken when the attack occurred.
In the aftermath of the Palmyra attack on US troops, Syrian security units launched a targeted operation in the region. Working alongside international coalition partners, they detained five individuals believed to have links to the shooter. The suspects were immediately referred for questioning as investigators began piecing together the network that may have supported or influenced the attacker.
The incident has drawn strong diplomatic engagement between Damascus and Washington. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by phone with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani on Sunday to discuss the attack and broader counterterrorism efforts. During the call, Shibani offered condolences for the loss of life and reaffirmed Syria’s commitment to confronting the shared threat posed by Daesh.
The Palmyra attack on US troops comes at a time when Syria and the United States have been showing cautious signs of coordination against extremist groups. Last month, Syria reached a notable agreement with the US-led coalition during President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s visit to the White House. The understanding focused on intelligence sharing and operational cooperation aimed at preventing a Daesh resurgence.
Despite Daesh losing its territorial control in Syria and Iraq by 2019, the group continues to pose a serious security risk through sleeper cells and lone-wolf attacks. The Palmyra incident underscores how deeply entrenched extremist ideology can remain, even within state institutions, making counterterrorism efforts more complex and unpredictable.
In recent months, the US-led coalition has intensified air strikes and ground operations targeting Daesh suspects across Syria. These operations have often involved coordination with Syrian security forces, particularly in areas considered vulnerable to militant regrouping. Syria has also stepped up its own domestic crackdown, arresting more than 70 individuals nationwide last month over alleged links to the group.
The presence of US troops in Syria remains a key part of Washington’s long-running strategy to prevent Daesh from re-establishing territorial control. American forces, primarily stationed in northeastern Syria, have been operating in the country for over a decade. Their mission focuses on counterterrorism, training local partners, and maintaining regional stability.
The Palmyra attack on US troops also highlights the fragile security environment in a country still emerging from years of conflict. Syria’s current government is led by former rebel factions that overthrew Bashar al-Assad last year after a 13-year civil war. Some of these factions previously had links to extremist networks but later broke away and fought against Daesh, adding layers of complexity to Syria’s political and security landscape.
Analysts believe that the swift arrests following the attack were intended to send a clear signal of zero tolerance toward extremist violence, particularly attacks targeting international partners. Ensuring accountability, they argue, will be critical for sustaining cooperation with the US-led coalition and preventing similar incidents in the future.
As investigations continue, the Palmyra attack on US troops serves as a stark reminder that the fight against Daesh is far from over. While territorial control has been dismantled, the ideological and operational threat persists, requiring sustained vigilance, intelligence cooperation, and decisive action from both Syrian authorities and their international allies.
