Two U.S. soldiers and a civilian U.S. interpreter were killed Saturday during an ambush in Palmyra, Syria, in an attack officials say was carried out by a likely ISIS gunman.
Details of the Attack
U.S. defense officials said the troops were targeted while conducting a key leader engagement in support of ongoing counter-ISIS and counterterrorism operations in the region. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the gunman was killed by partner forces during a subsequent skirmish.
Additional Injuries Reported
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that three other service members were injured in the attack. U.S. officials said the wounded personnel were American.
First Combat Deaths of Trump’s Second Term
The incident marks the first combat deaths since President Donald Trump returned to the White House. Trump issued condolences for the fallen and condemned the attack, calling it an ISIS assault in a volatile area of Syria.
President Vows Retaliation
Trump said Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa was “extremely angry and disturbed” by the attack and warned of serious retaliation. Speaking briefly to reporters later, Trump reiterated, “We will retaliate.”
Identities Withheld
The names of the two soldiers and the civilian interpreter were not immediately released as officials continue next-of-kin notifications.
Rare Combat Fatalities in Syria
Saturday’s ambush represents the first U.S. combat deaths in Syria since 2019, when four Americans were killed in a suicide bombing in Manbij. Prior to this attack, there had been 10 U.S. military deaths in Syria, most recently a non-hostile death in February 2022.
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