Syrian authorities said Sunday they had launched a security operation targeting Daesh terrorist group's sleeper cells in the countryside of Homs province, following an attack near Palmyra that killed three Americans near the ancient city of Palmyra, state media reported.
The state-run Alikhbariya television said the operation was carried out in response to an attack that targeted Syrian and American forces during a joint field patrol near Palmyra on Saturday.
Two U.S. troops and a civilian interpreter were killed in what the Syrian government described as a "terrorist attack" on Saturday, while Washington said it had been carried out by a Daesh terrorist who was subsequently killed.
According to the channel, the security operation focused on the areas of Furqlus, al-Qaryatayn and the surrounding desert regions of Homs province, where Daesh sleeper cells are believed to be active.
Syria's interior ministry said Sunday that the gunman was a member of the security forces who was set to be fired for extremism.
