Syrian President offers Trump condolences after Daesh attack killed Americans

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has formally offered condolences to US President Donald Trump in the wake of an Daesh terrorist attack that killed three American citizens in Syria. In a telegram, Sharaa expressed sympathy for the deaths and condemned the ambush, which occurred on Saturday in the Palmyra desert area of Homs province.

A pledge to maintain security and stability

The Syrian presidency's statement said Sharaa reaffirmed Damascus's commitment to preserving public safety and promoting stability both within Syria and across the wider region. This message of solidarity and shared security goals follows the recent integration of Syria into the US-led international coalition against Daesh, which it joined on November 12, 2025.

Syrian security response to the attack

In response to the incident, Syrian security forces launched an operation against Daesh cells in the Homs countryside on Sunday, resulting in the arrest of five suspects. The attack itself, confirmed by US Central Command, killed two American troops and one civilian, while injuring three other service members. The gunman responsible was killed during the engagement.

Context of evolving US-Syria cooperation

The exchange highlights the shifting dynamics between Washington and Damascus following the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024. The new Syrian administration has prioritized restoring national security and has sought greater international cooperation, exemplified by its recent entry into the anti-Daesh coalition—a framework from which it was previously excluded.