ISIS calls killings in Syria “blow” as US launches major strikes

The Islamic State group (ISIS) has stated the killing of US Pentagon personnel in the Syrian city of Palmyra was a “blow” to US forces and Syrian armed factions, in its first public comment on the incident, Asharq Al Awsat reported on December 19th. 

Two US Army soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed as a result of an attack which targeted a convoy of American and Syrian forces in Palmyra before being shot dead, the US military claimed. Three US soldiers were wounded.

The attacks came as ISIS published an article accusing the United States and its Syrian-based allies of forming a single front against it. The group employed religious rhetoric to frame the attack as a decisive moment intended to raise doubt amongst its supporters, but did not explicitly ‍claim responsibility.

Relations between the new Syrian government and Washington have strengthened over the past year, with US President Donald Trump vowing to assist Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in rebuilding his country. The revival of the Islamic State group has been identified as a threat by both leaders, with Syria taking full responsibility for the security of its nation against the group. Yet Ahmed al-Sharaa has declared commitment to join the US-led coalition against ISIS, as his forces work with the US in operations against the group. 

Donald Trump called the incident “terrible”. He vowed retaliation, in which U.S. Central Command forces (CENTCOM) launched fighter jets, attack helicopters, and other assets to conduct a large-scale strike that struck more than 70 ISIS targets. 

Syria’s Interior Ministry claimed it had arrested five people suspected of links to the shooting of US personnel, describing the attacker as a member of the Syrian ⁠security forces suspected of sympathizing with ISIS.

The ministry said security units in Palmyra carried out the arrests in coordination with international coalition forces.

Asharq Al Awsat, The National, Magherbi.org