LONDON: A deadly terrorist attack that targeted a joint patrol of Syrian security forces and US troops near the ancient city of Palmyra has drawn strong condemnation across the Arab world, while also highlighting the importance and potential of emerging cooperation between Damascus and Washington.
Saturday’s attack in Palmyra, in Syria’s central Homs countryside, struck a joint Syrian-US patrol during a field tour of the area. The city, home to UNESCO-listed ruins, was occupied by Daesh during two periods between 2015 and 2017, marked by systematic cultural destruction, public executions and severe repression of civilians.
According to official accounts, the assailant opened fire on the patrol, killing two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter, and wounding three US troops and two Syrian security personnel. US Central Command said the attacker was an alleged Daesh militant who was subsequently killed.
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In a post on the social-media platform X, Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani condemned the attack, calling it a “terrorist” assault on a joint counterterrorism patrol. He extended condolences to the families of the victims and to the US government and people, and wished the injured a swift recovery.
