Damascus – The Syrian Interior Ministry announced Saturday that the individual responsible for the attack targeting Syrian security forces and U.S. personnel near the ancient city of Palmyra does not hold any leadership role within the country’s internal security apparatus and was not accompanying senior officials.

Ministry spokesperson Nour al-Din Baba stated that preliminary findings indicate the assailant acted independently, with no official ties to the security leadership. He added that investigations are underway to determine whether the attacker is linked to the Islamic State (ISIS) or influenced by its ideology.

The incident occurred during a joint field tour involving Syrian and American forces in the Palmyra area, underscoring the volatile security environment in central Syria. While details of casualties or damage have not yet been disclosed, the ministry emphasized that the probe aims to establish the attacker’s affiliations and motives.

Analysts note that the statement seeks to distance Syrian security institutions from any suggestion of internal complicity, while highlighting ongoing concerns about ISIS remnants operating in desert regions east of Homs.