Features|Syria's WarAnalysis: ISIL attacks could undermine US-Syria security collaborationISIL attacks dropped after the fall of the Assad regime. But the group will likely attempt to destabilise Syria’s new government.
On Tue, Dec 13, 2025, a joint US-Syrian patrol was attacked by a member of Syria’s security forces near Palmyra, resulting in the deaths of two US soldiers and an interpreter. Four additional individuals were wounded before Syrian forces neutralized the…
On Tue, Dec 13, 2025, a joint US-Syrian patrol was attacked by a member of Syria’s security forces near Palmyra, resulting in the deaths of two US soldiers and an interpreter. Four additional individuals were wounded before Syrian forces neutralized the attacker.
Following the incident, US and Syrian officials attributed the attacker’s actions to ISIL, which previously controlled significant regions in Syria and Iraq. The event underscores the collaborative efforts between the United States and Syria against ISIL, notably after Damascus joined the US-led coalition in November 2025.
ISIL took control of Palmyra in May 2015 but was expelled in 2017. The group was also removed from Raqqa, its declared capital, in May 2017 by the US-led coalition. Remaining ISIL fighters are imprisoned in the al-Hol and Roj camps in northeast Syria, managed by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Others have retreated into the Syrian desert.
Recent estimates indicate ISIL maintains a force of 3,000 to 5,000 fighters across Iraq and Syria. However, increased coordination between Damascus and Washington has led to a decrease in ISIL attacks, falling from an average of 63 per month in 2024 to 10 per month in 2025.
On Tue, Dec 13, 2025, a joint US-Syrian patrol was attacked by a member of Syria’s security forces near Palmyra, resulting in the deaths of two US soldiers and an interpreter.
Post-Assad regime, Syria’s security forces faced challenges in enforcing security, leading to a substantial recruitment effort. This rapid expansion has complicated the vetting process, potentially allowing for infiltration by radical elements.
The attack in Palmyra points to these structural issues within the security apparatus. Analysts anticipate improvements in the vetting process over time to mitigate future threats.
ISIL has shifted its focus post-Assad, aiming to destabilize and maintain relevance rather than seeking territorial control. The group could target state security, religious minorities, or foreign entities in Syria, including US soldiers and humanitarian workers.
ISIL may also exploit tensions between the SDF and Damascus over integration disagreements into the state’s security framework. The management of al-Hol and Roj camps remains a potential focal point for ISIL activities.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
