The Department of War on Saturday confirmed that two American soldiers and a civilian translator were killed in an attack as part of ongoing anti-ISIS operations in the country.

A further three personnel were wounded.

"The attack occurred as the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement," Department of War spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed. "Their mission was in support of on-going counter-ISIS / counter-terrorism operations in the region."

"The soldiers’ names, as well as identifying information about their units, are being withheld until 24 hours after the next of kin notification. This attack is currently under active investigation," he added.

Joe Kent, the chief of the U.S. National Counter Terrorism Center, said the attack was carried out by a security insider.

"Today, our nation grieves the loss of two U.S. Army soldiers and a civilian interpreter, killed in an insider terrorist attack in Palmyra, Syria " Kent said on X. "Three others were wounded while conducting a critical counter-ISIS engagement."

U.S. officials said they believe the attacker was a former ISIS member who had joined the current ruling party HTS' security apparatus but recently was expelled.

American forces have been stationed in Syria for years amid the civil war. The attack follows the rapid collapse of the Assad government earlier this year.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.