In a shocking turn of events, two US soldiers and a US civilian interpreter were killed in Syria due to an ambush orchestrated by an Islamic State gunman, as reported by the US Central Command. The attack, which left three other service members injured, underscores the ongoing threat posed by ISIS in the region. The gunman was engaged and killed during the incident, highlighting the immediate response by US forces.
In response to the ambush, US President Donald Trump took to social media, identifying the incident as an ISIS attack against both the United States and Syria. He warned of a "very serious retaliation," emphasizing the US commitment to combat terrorism. The identities of the fallen soldiers and interpreter are being withheld for 24 hours to allow for the notification of their next of kin, according to the US Central Command.
The ambush occurred in Palmyra, a city located in central Syria, while the soldiers were engaged in a key leader engagement, as explained by Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell. Initial assessments from Pentagon officials suggest that the attack was likely carried out by the Islamic State group. Additionally, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the attacker was connected to the Syrian security forces, though no group has yet claimed responsibility for the assault.
As a result of the ambush, three US soldiers sustained injuries; however, President Trump reassured the public that they are recovering well. Additionally, Syria's state news indicated that two members of the Syrian army were also injured during the attack. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a stern warning, stating, "Let it be known, if you target Americans - anywhere in the world you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you."
In recent developments, Syria has joined an international coalition aimed at combating the Islamic State and has committed to cooperating with the US in these efforts. Last month, President Ahmed al-Sharaa even met with Donald Trump at the White House, marking what the Syrian leader referred to as a new era in relations between the two nations. The global coalition is focused on eliminating the remaining elements of ISIS and curtailing the influx of foreign militants into the Middle East.
In light of the ambush, Tom Barrack, US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, voiced his strong condemnation of the attack, describing it as a "cowardly terrorist ambush targeting a joint US–Syrian government patrol." He reiterated the United States' commitment to defeating terrorism alongside its Syrian partners, reinforcing the ongoing efforts to restore stability in the region.