Coalition Forces Target Isis Sleeper Cells After Attack on US Troops

A coordinated operation against Isis sleeper cells commenced today, involving Syrian forces and a coalition led by the United States. This action follows a deadly attack that resulted in the deaths of two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter in central Syria’s Palmyra region. The Syrian government described the incident as a “terrorist attack,” asserting that it was executed by an Isis militant who was subsequently killed.

According to a Syrian Interior Ministry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the operation is part of a broader “security campaign” aimed at tracking Isis sleeper cells throughout the Syrian desert. This initiative is being conducted in cooperation with the US-led international coalition. As of now, three individuals have been arrested in connection with the attack.

The attack, which occurred on Sunday, has prompted a significant response from both Syrian and US officials. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa expressed condolences to US President Donald Trump, emphasizing Syria’s solidarity with the victims’ families. The Syrian Interior Ministry indicated that the perpetrator was a member of the security forces who was scheduled to be dismissed for “extremist Islamist ideas.”

In the wake of the incident, a Syrian security official confirmed that “11 members of the general security forces were arrested and brought in for questioning.” This individual, also speaking anonymously, noted that the gunman had been part of the security forces for over 10 months, having served in various cities before his assignment to Palmyra.

Details of the Attack and Response

The attack marks the first significant violence reported since Islamist-led forces overthrew former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in December 2022, an event that has altered the dynamics of US-Syrian relations. Following the attack, President Trump vowed “very serious retaliation.”

A Syrian military official, who also requested anonymity, stated that gunfire erupted during a meeting between Syrian and US officers at a Syrian base in Palmyra. Conversely, a Pentagon official indicated that the attack took place in an area outside of Syrian government control. The Syrian Interior Ministry disclosed that an Isis member had “infiltrated” the meeting prior to executing the attack.

US envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, commented that the incident only serves to reinforce the US strategy to “enable capable Syrian partners” in the fight against Isis. In a phone conversation with US Senator Marco Rubio, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani conveyed his condolences and highlighted that the attack represents a new challenge in the ongoing fight against terrorism.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell clarified that the fallen soldiers were engaged in a key leader engagement supporting counter-terrorism operations at the time of the assault. President Trump categorized the incident as “an Isis attack against the US, and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria,” adding that the three other wounded US troops were recovering well.

The official Syrian news agency, Sana, reported that the attack also resulted in injuries to two members of the Syrian security forces. In a statement, the Interior Ministry noted there had been prior warnings from internal security commands regarding potential Isis infiltration, asserting that international coalition forces did not adequately consider these alerts.

Continuing Violence and Historical Context

Tragically, the violence did not cease with the attack on US troops. On the same day, gunmen shot and killed four members of the Interior Ministry’s road security department in the northwestern Idlib province, although it remains unclear if this incident is connected to the previous day’s attack.

Isis initially seized large territories in Syria and Iraq in 2014 during the Syrian civil war, but was territorially defeated in Syria five years later. Despite this, Isis fighters continue to maintain a presence, especially in Syria’s expansive desert regions.

Last month, during President al-Sharaa’s historic visit to Washington, Syria formally joined the US-led global coalition against Isis, signaling a potential shift in alliances in the region. As the situation unfolds, the coalition’s efforts against Isis sleeper cells are poised to intensify, particularly in light of recent events.