Three Americans have been killed in Syria by an Islamic State gunman, according to the U.S. military.
Two U.S. soldiers and one U.S. civilian interpreter lost their lives when an ISIS gunman opened fire in an ambush. Three additional service members were injured, and the assailant was engaged by forces and killed during the incident.
President Donald Trump wrote on social media that the attack was an ISIS strike against the United States and Syria and promised a "very serious retaliation." The identities of the deceased are being withheld for 24 hours to allow next of kin to be notified, per U.S. Central Command.
CENTCOM stated on X that the assault resulted from an ambush by a lone ISIS gunman, while a Pentagon official indicated early assessments suggested the Islamic State group was responsible.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the attacker belonged to the Syrian security forces. No group has claimed responsibility, and the gunman’s identity has not been released.
The ambush occurred in Palmyra, in central Syria, as the troops were conducting a routine leader-engagement mission, according to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell.
A Pentagon official noted the attack happened in a region where the Syrian presidency does not exert full control.
Trump also stated that the three wounded soldiers are recovering well. Syria’s state news agency later reported injuries among two Syrian service personnel.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asserted: if you target Americans anywhere in the world, you will spend the rest of your brief life knowing the United States will pursue you and eliminate you.
Syria has recently joined an international coalition against ISIS and has pledged cooperation with the United States. Last month, Syrian President Ahmed al-Assaad met with Trump at the White House, describing the meeting as part of a new era for both nations.
The global coalition aims to eradicate remaining ISIS elements and curb foreign fighter flows to the Middle East.
Tom Barrack, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, condemned the ambush as a cowardly act against a joint U.S.–Syrian patrol and affirmed continued commitment to defeating terrorism alongside Syrian partners.
