A shocking attack in Syria has resulted in the deaths of three Americans: two members of the Iowa National Guard and a civilian interpreter. This assault has been linked to ISIS, leading President Trump to vow a ‘very serious’ retaliation.
Among the victims was Ayad Mansoor Sakat, a civilian interpreter from Macomb, Michigan. Additionally, three other Iowa National Guard personnel were injured during this harrowing event, though their identities remain undisclosed by the Pentagon.
In a display of respect, President Trump and First Lady Melania attended a dignified transfer ceremony for the fallen soldiers.
Experts suggest that any military response from the U.S. will probably be limited to aerial strikes or targeted raids. This is due to the fact that ISIS no longer maintains control over any territory.
Rosemary Kelanic, who heads the Middle East program at Defense Priorities, pointed out the challenges: ‘It’s pretty hard to retaliate against a terrorist group that doesn’t exist anymore.’ She mentioned that while a lone-wolf gunman claimed affiliation with ISIS, the group as a territorial force has been absent for over five years. ‘The potential for response is limited,’ she added, citing that options are restricted to targeting small groups of individuals aligned with the ideology.
Currently, around 1,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Syria with the aim of preventing any ISIS resurgence after they faced defeat in 2019. The soldiers are positioned between several bases in northeast Syria and the Al-Tanf base in the southeast, and their numbers have seen a significant reduction since April.
There are concerns within the expert community that this recent attack might influence President Trump to consider pulling out the remaining troops.
This incident underscores the lingering dangers that U.S. personnel encounter even after ISIS’s so-called territorial defeat. It highlights the complexities of conducting counterterrorism operations against decentralized networks and lone operators.
Reported by: Modern Newsstand LLC
