In a devastating incident on Saturday, two U.S. Army soldiers and a U.S. civilian interpreter were tragically killed following an ambush targeting U.S. and Syrian forces in a historic town in Syria. This attack, attributed to the Islamic State (ISIS), highlights the ongoing dangers faced by U.S. military personnel in the region, according to statements from U.S. military officials.
In the wake of this attack, President Trump expressed grave concern and vowed a "very serious retaliation." In a post on Truth Social, he stated, "This was an ISIS attack against the U.S. and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria that is not fully controlled by them." The President also noted the anger and distress of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa regarding the incident, emphasizing the need for a robust response.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell reported that the ambush occurred during a key leader engagement mission aimed at supporting ongoing counter-ISIS and counter-terrorism operations in the region. He confirmed that three other service members sustained injuries, although their condition appears stable. The names and unit information of the deceased soldiers will remain confidential until 24 hours after notifying their next of kin.
The U.S. Central Command stated that the attack was executed by a lone ISIS gunman, who was subsequently engaged and killed by U.S. forces. The shooting reportedly took place near Palmyra, as covered by Syria's state-run SANA news agency, which also reported injuries among Syrian security forces. However, further details regarding their condition were not immediately available.
President Trump, speaking to reporters shortly after the incident, expressed sorrow over the loss of "three great patriots in Syria." He acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the Syrian forces fighting alongside the U.S., stating, "We mourn the loss. We pray for their parents and loved ones." When pressed about potential future responses to attacks, he assured, "We will retaliate."
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth condemned the attack through a post on X, asserting that the perpetrator would face consequences. "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," he stated emphatically.
In response to the attack, Tom Barrack, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, expressed condolences on X, stating, "We mourn the loss of three brave U.S. service members and civilian personnel." He reiterated the U.S. commitment to defeating terrorism in partnership with Syrian forces.
Currently, the U.S. maintains a presence of hundreds of troops in eastern Syria as part of an international coalition fighting against ISIS. Following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad last year, Syria has begun to improve relations with Western nations, joining the coalition against ISIS.
Despite the defeat of ISIS in Syria in 2019, the group continues to pose a significant threat, with an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters still active in Syria and Iraq. U.S. troops, positioned in various locations across Syria, including the Al-Tanf garrison in Homs, have been previously targeted in violent attacks, highlighting the volatile security situation.
One of the deadliest incidents occurred in 2019 in Manbij, where a blast resulted in the deaths of two U.S. service members and two American civilians, underscoring the persistent danger faced by those involved in the fight against terrorism in the region.