New York, Dec 14 (NationPress) In a tragic incident, two US soldiers and a civilian translator involved in the campaign against the Islamic State lost their lives during an attack in Syria perpetrated by the terrorist organization. President Donald Trump has promised “serious retaliation” in response to this act. In a post on Truth Social, Trump reported that three additional soldiers sustained injuries during the attack that occurred on Saturday.

This attack, occurring in a region plagued by terrorism and civil unrest, raises questions about the effectiveness of US collaboration with the Syrian government that has been in power since Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December of the previous year.

It also challenges the authority of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's administration, with the assailant reportedly linked to the Damascus government forces, as highlighted by a government spokesperson. Trump recognized that the area was not fully under the control of Damascus.

The spokesperson from Syria, as reported by the Syrian news agency SANA, asserted that the US disregarded warnings regarding the dangers present in Palmyra, where this incident occurred. The spokesperson confirmed that the attacker was “neutralised”.

Marked as the first casualties in Syria since the fall of al-Assad, the victims were part of the US Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) aimed at combating the terrorist group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS).

Sean Parnell, the Chief Pentagon Spokesperson, described their mission as “support of ongoing counter-ISIS/counter-terrorism operations.”

According to media reports, the attack occurred while the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement.

The spokesperson from the Syrian government, Noureddine al-Baba, acknowledged that the individual who shot at the US personnel was affiliated with Syrian government forces. However, SANA reported that he clarified the attacker “held no leadership role” within Internal Security and was not an escort to the Internal Security Commander.

SANA also noted that Damascus had previously warned the US about potential security breaches or attacks by ISIS, “but these warnings were not taken into consideration.”

Investigators are currently examining the attacker’s digital data to ascertain whether he had direct connections to ISIS or simply adopted extremist beliefs, along with reviewing his acquaintances and family.

The assailant was previously under investigation for possibly holding “extremist or takfiri views,” with a decision anticipated on Sunday.

Trump, who has cultivated a relationship with al-Sharaa, stated that the attack occurred in a “very dangerous part of Syria” not entirely controlled by his government. Al-Sharaa was described as being “extremely angry and disturbed” by this attack.

Once a member of al-Qaeda and previously in US custody, al-Sharaa is viewed as a reformed leader, having been welcomed to the White House by Trump last month to deepen cooperation between the two nations, particularly in the fight against terrorism.