"Residents of the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra on Tuesday recalled the moments surrounding a deadly attack, killing two US soldiers and an interpreter during a joint patrol with Syria’s transitional government forces near the city over the weekend. “The US delegation came to the city. After roaming through its streets, they headed to the security branch. As soon as we entered the branch, we heard gunshots. We didn't know what happened," said Palmyra’s mayor, Barakat Al Khalaf. "In the evening, we've been told that some US soldiers were wounded or killed, but we do not know for sure. The US jets came afterwards, which flew too low over Palmyra," he added. Footage obtained by the agency on Saturday shows the fighter jets flying at low altitude over Palmyra, releasing thermal flares. Residents said the military response sparked panic among civilians. “We were shocked by what happened. We heard the jets breaking the sound barrier above the city, leaving the children and people panicked. But thank God, the city was not shelled,” one explained. During a joint patrol on Saturday, the internal security forces of the interim governments, along with US soldiers, were ambushed by a gunman near Palmyra. Two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed, according to the US Department of War. US President Donald Trump vowed to respond to the attack, claiming it was an 'ISIS attack against the US and Syria in a very dangerous part of Syria that is not fully controlled by them.' The Syrian transitional government's Interior Ministry admitted on Saturday that 'prior warnings' of ISIS breach or attack were issued before the Palmyra ambush. In December 2024, the HTS-led transitional government seized power in Syria. Afterwards, al-Sharaa was appointed interim president, pledging an 'inclusive government'. Syria’s northeastern regions remain under the control of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which have yet to be incorporated into the newly announced Syrian army structure. Meanwhile, multiple media reports have documented alleged violations against civilians from Druze, Alawite, Christian and other minority communities, developments that have contributed to calls for secession in Suwayda province."