{"id":56096,"date":"2018-08-10T17:36:52","date_gmt":"2018-08-10T17:36:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/08\/10\/was-this-an-insider-attack-at-a-syrian-outpost-or-a-negligent-discharge-centcom-says-it-cant-tell\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T11:50:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T11:50:14","slug":"was-this-an-insider-attack-at-a-syrian-outpost-or-a-negligent-discharge-centcom-says-it-cant-tell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/news\/your-marine-corps\/2018\/08\/10\/was-this-an-insider-attack-at-a-syrian-outpost-or-a-negligent-discharge-centcom-says-it-cant-tell\/","title":{"rendered":"Was this an insider attack at a Syrian outpost, or a negligent discharge? CENTCOM says it can\u2019t tell."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On Feb. 17, a Marine was shot at a small outpost near Deir al Zour, Syria<\/a>. Another Marine promptly killed the shooter, who was allegedly a Kurdish fighter <\/a>with the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shot Marine would survive and was awarded the Purple Heart for his wounds. The Marine who put down the shooter would receive the Joint Service Commendation Medal<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Purple Heart<\/a> is typically awarded to U.S. service members wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy, according to a 2011 review of the award criteria by the Marine Corps<\/a>. Despite this, the military could not actually determine whether the Kurdish soldier intentionally shot the Marine, or simply negligently discharged his rifle, U.S. Central Command said Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe incident was investigated by a team led by a U.S. Marine colonel who was unable to conclusively determine if a U.S. Marine was shot intentionally by a Syrian Democratic Forces guard, or if he was shot as the result of a negligent discharge,\u201d CENTCOM said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless, the investigation determined that the second Marine \u2014 who shot the Kurdish fighter immediately after the suspected attack \u2014 believed himself to be in imminent danger, and \u201cacted appropriately and proportionally to the threat he perceived,\u201d according to CENTCOM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
U.S. Marines provide additional security for Iraqi Security Forces and coalition partners near the Iraqi-Syrian border, June 4, 2018. Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition partners provided fire support to assist the Syrian Democratic Forces as they continued Operation Roundup, the military offensive to rid the final pockets of the terrorist organization from the Middle Euphrates River Valley in Syria. (Spc. Anthony Zendejas IV\/Army)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Because the second Marine perceived he was in imminent danger, and because he quickly tended to his fellow Marine\u2019s injuries, the lead investigator decided to recommend that he be recognized for his actions with the Commendation Medal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CENTCOM added that the full investigation will be released after a classification review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The statement from CENTCOM comes after Task & Purpose reported<\/a> the incident from the perspective of Marines who were at the outpost at the time, and who spoke to the publication under the condition of anonymity.<\/p>\n\n\n\t