Islamic State group gunman in Syria attack worked in state security forces

Published December 15, 2025 3:19pm ET



The Islamic State group gunman who killed three U.S. citizens in Syria over the weekend was a member of the country’s security forces.

The man, who was killed after murdering two Army soldiers and a U.S. civilian interpreter and injuring several additional American and Syrian military personnel stationed in Palmyra, was a “lone ISIS gunman,” U.S. officials said following the Saturday attack.

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