Trump absolves Syrian leader after Daesh attack kills three Americans

President Donald Trump explicitly absolved the Syrian government of responsibility for a recent Daesh terror attack that killed three Americans in Syria, reaffirming his confidence in Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The comments came during a White House briefing on Monday regarding the weekend ambush near Palmyra in central Syria.

Shifting Blame to Daesh and Praising Syrian Leader

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump stated that the attack “had nothing to do with the Syrian government. This had to do with Daesh.” He argued that the area of Homs countryside where the assault occurred is not under full government control. The US president characterized Sharaa as a “strong man” who “feels very badly about” the incident and is working to counter security threats, vowing that Daesh would be “hit hard” in response.

Justifying the Ongoing US Military Presence

When questioned about the rationale for maintaining approximately 1,000 US troops in Syria, Trump linked the presence to broader regional stability goals. “We're trying to make sure that there's going to be and remain peace in the Middle East, and Syria is a big part of it,” he explained. He underscored the challenging environment, noting, “This is a rough part of the world, and it's been amazing what's taken place in Syria.”

Aftermath of the Attack and Cooperative Signals

Following the ambush, which also wounded three US service members, President Sharaa sent a message of condolence to Trump, expressing solidarity with the victims' families. Syrian security forces subsequently conducted an operation in the region, arresting five suspected Daesh militants. The US-led coalition, which Syria joined in late 2025, continues its mission against the militant group in the country.