Iraq condemns deadly attack on joint US-Syrian patrol near Palmyra

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday condemned an attack that targeted a joint patrol of Syrian internal security forces and U.S. troops near the city of Palmyra in central Syria, calling it a threat to regional security and urging stronger international cooperation against terrorism.

In a press statement, the ministry said such attacks continue to undermine stability in the region and called for enhanced coordination and joint efforts “at the regional and international levels to confront it, eliminate its sources, and cut off its funding and support networks.”

U.S. and Syrian forces were attacked on Dec. 13 near Palmyra during counter-ISIS operations, killing two U.S. soldiers and an American civilian interpreter and wounding three other U.S. troops, according to U.S. officials. The Pentagon said the assault was carried out by a lone Islamic State gunman who was later killed by partner forces, while two Syrian soldiers were also reported wounded.

Full statement:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its condemnation of the terrorist attack that targeted a joint patrol of the Syrian Internal Security Forces and U.S. forces near the city of Palmyra, resulting in a number of casualties.

The Ministry affirms that terrorism continues to pose an ongoing and serious threat to the security and stability of the region, underscoring the need to strengthen coordination and joint cooperation—regionally and internationally—to confront it, eliminate its sources, and cut off its funding and support networks.

The Ministry also emphasizes that the Iraqi people have been among those most affected by the crimes of terrorism, which makes it imperative to continue joint efforts and intensify collective action to combat this scourge, prevent its resurgence, and safeguard regional and international peace and security.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Republic of Iraq

December 14, 2025