US envoy vows deeper coalition action to 'neutralize' Daesh after Syria attack

The United States has signaled a plan to deepen its counterterrorism coordination with Syria's new government and other international partners to "neutralize" Daesh in the wake of a deadly attack on American personnel. US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack stated that partnerships within the global anti-Daesh coalition, including with nations aligned with Damascus, will amplify efforts to eradicate the militant group.

A strategy focused on enabling local partners

Barrack outlined an approach centered on "enable[ing] capable Syrian partners with limited U.S. operational support to hunt down Daesh networks," deny it safe haven, and prevent its resurgence. He argued this model "keeps the fight local, limits U.S. exposure, and avoids another large-scale American war in the Middle East." He suggested the recent attack was a response to "sustained pressure from Syrian partners operating with US support," including the military under President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Response to the deadly ambush near Palmyra

The envoy's statement came after an Daesh gunman ambushed US forces on Saturday, killing two American troops and one civilian and injuring three other service members. Barrack asserted the US "will not allow this attack on our beautiful young troops to go uncontested." Syrian authorities have since launched a security operation against Daesh cells in the Homs province countryside.

Broader coalition context and homeland security rationale

Barrack framed the mission as a direct security imperative for the United States, arguing that "by confronting and defeating Daesh on Syrian soil, our limited troop presence... is actively shielding America from far greater threats." The US operates in Syria as part of the international coalition formed in 2014, which Syria formally joined on November 12, marking a significant shift in cooperation between the former adversaries.