US Service Members Killed in ISIS Ambush Near Palmyra, CENTCOM Reports

On Dec. 13, a lone ISIS gunman ambushed a joint U.S. and Syrian patrol near Palmyra, killing two U.S. service members and a civilian and wounding several others.

CENTCOM Statement

CENTCOM confirmed the casualties and the killing of the gunman. “On Dec. 13, two U.S. service members and one U.S. civilian were killed, and three service members were injured, as a result of an ambush by a lone ISIS gunman in Syria,” CENTCOM wrote on X. “The gunman was engaged and killed.” The statement added that the identities of the service members would be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin had been notified, in accordance with Department of War policy. Updates would be provided as they became available.

Details of the Attack

Troops were conducting a joint field patrol when they came under fire alongside Syrian security forces near the city of Palmyra, the SANA government explained in a post on X. The United Kingdom-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at least three Syrian security members were also wounded. The organization alleged the attacker was a member of the Syrian security force.

Official Responses

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth condemned the attack. “The savage who perpetrated this attack was killed by partner forces,” Hegseth wrote in a statement. He added, “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.” A Pentagon official told NewsNation that the incident occurred in an area not controlled by the Syrian government and that initial assessments show the attack was connected to ISIS.

Context

The incident comes a year after former Syrian President Bashar Assad fled the country before opposition fighters entered Damascus. Assad sought asylum in Russia and signaled in a statement that he wanted to keep fighting.

Key Takeaways

• Two U.S. service members and one civilian were killed on Dec. 13 in an ISIS ambush near Palmyra.
• Three U.S. service members were injured, and the gunman was killed.
• Syrian security forces were also wounded, and the attack was linked to ISIS according to Pentagon officials.

The ambush underscores the ongoing threat posed by ISIS affiliates in areas outside Syrian government control and highlights the risks faced by U.S. personnel operating in the region.