In a deadly ambush in central Syria that killed two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter, President Donald Trump has vowed “very serious retaliation,” marking the first U.S. fatalities in the country since the ouster of Bashar Assad last year.
Attack Details
The ambush took place near historic Palmyra, according to the state-run SANA news agency. Two members of Syria’s security force and several U.S. service members were wounded, and the casualties were transported by helicopter to the al-Tanf garrison near the border with Iraq and Jordan. U.S. Central Command said three service members were also wounded in the attack, describing the assailant as a lone IS member. The U.S. military confirmed the gunman was killed, and the three wounded soldiers “seem to be doing pretty well,” Trump noted.
U.S. Response
President Trump posted on Truth Social that “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.” He also said that Syria’s president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, was “devastated by what happened” and “extremely angry and disturbed by this attack.” Trump added, “There will be very serious retaliation.”
Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, whose Iowa National Guard the soldiers belonged to, said, “Our Iowa National Guard family is hurting as we mourn the loss of two of our own and pray for the recovery of the three soldiers wounded.” U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on X, “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.”
The Pentagon’s chief spokesman, Sean Parnell, identified the civilian killed as a U.S. interpreter and stated that the attack targeted soldiers involved in counter-terrorism operations. He said the incident is under active investigation. A Pentagon official, speaking anonymously, noted that the attack occurred in an area where the Syrian President does not have control.
Syrian Context
Syrian Interior Ministry spokesman Nour al-Din al-Baba said a gunman linked to IS opened fire at the gate of a military post. He added that authorities were investigating whether the gunman was an IS member or merely carried its extreme ideology. Later, al-Baba clarified that the attacker was a member of the Internal Security force in the desert, had no command post, and was not a bodyguard for the force commander. He added that some 5,000 members have joined Internal Security forces in the desert and they are evaluated weekly. An evaluation of the attacker concluded he might have extreme ideology, with a decision expected on Sunday, but the attack occurred on Saturday, a day off for state institutions.
Syria’s president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who once had ties to al-Qaida and had a $10 million U.S. bounty on his head, was named the country’s interim leader in January after leading the rebel forces that toppled Bashar Assad in December 2024. Syria joined the international coalition fighting IS after Assad’s ouster, and the United Nations reports the group still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
The United States has hundreds of troops in eastern Syria as part of a coalition against IS. The U.S. presence includes the al-Tanf garrison in the southeast, where troops train other forces. The attack is the first with fatalities since the fall of Bashar Assad a year ago. The deadliest previous attack occurred in 2019 in the northern town of Manbij, when a blast killed two U.S. service members, two American civilians, and others from Syria during a patrol.
Key Takeaways
- Two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in a Syrian ambush; Trump vows retaliation.
- The attack is the first U.S. fatality in Syria since Assad’s fall and involved a lone IS assailant.
- Syrian authorities are investigating the attacker’s affiliation, while the U.S. military confirms the gunman was killed and the wounded are recovering.
The incident underscores the ongoing volatility in Syria and the risks faced by U.S. forces and civilians operating in the region.
Morgan J. Carter is a Texas-based journalist covering breaking news, local government, public safety, and community developments across Austin. With more than six years of reporting experience, Morgan focuses on delivering accurate, clear, and timely stories that reflect the fast-moving pulse of the city.
At newsofaustin.com, Morgan reports on everything from severe weather alerts and traffic updates to city council decisions, crime reports, and the issues shaping daily life in Austin. Known for reliable fact-checking and a strong commitment to public-interest journalism, Morgan brings readers the information they need to stay informed and engaged.
When not tracking a developing story, Morgan enjoys exploring Austin’s neighborhoods, attending local events, and connecting with residents to share the voices and experiences that define the community.
