Two Syrian security officers, two U.S. service members and one U.S. civilian were killed Saturday in an attack on a joint patrol near Palmyra, officials said.
The assault took place during a field tour in Syria’s central Homs province, where authorities had warned of Islamic State threats in the desert region, Interior Ministry spokesman Noureddin al‑Baba told state television.
Al‑Baba said the gunman, affiliated with the Internal Security Command, had been flagged for extremist views and was facing disciplinary action. He was killed in the exchange of fire.
The attacker held no leadership role and was not assigned to escort senior officials, al‑Baba said. Investigators are probing possible links to IS.
Authorities imposed heightened security, including a temporary closure of the Deir al‑Zour–Damascus highway, and pledged tighter oversight to prevent further breaches.