Syria targets ISIS in Homs, desert after Palmyra attack

Security forces of Syria’s transitional government have launched an operation against the Islamic State terrorist group (ISIS or IS) in several areas of Homs province and the Syrian Desert, following an attack in Palmyra on a joint Syrian-American patrol. 

The operation was launched in response to an attack targeting Syrian and US forces during a joint field patrol near Palmyra on December 13, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Alikhbariya channel.

The channel said the security sweep focused on Furqlus, al-Qaryatayn, and surrounding desert areas in Homs province, where ISIS sleeper cells are believed to be operating. 

On December 13, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said an ISIS gunman carried out an ambush in the Palmyra desert, killing two US service members and a civilian, and wounding three other troops. 

US forces are deployed in Syria as part of an international coalition against ISIS formed under US leadership in 2014. Syria formally joined the coalition on November 12, 2025. 

Since its creation, the coalition has conducted military operations against ISIS in both Syria and Iraq with the participation of multiple countries, although Damascus had not previously been a member. 

Following the overthrow of former president Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Syria’s new authorities have intensified efforts to re-establish security and stabilise the country.

By Jeyhun Aghazada