ISIS Ambush Kills Three Americans in Syria, Trump Vows Swift Retaliation

Two U.S. Soldiers and Civilian Interpreter Dead in Joint Patrol Near Palmyra Amid Escalating Counter-Terror Tensions

Two U.S. Army soldiers and one American civilian interpreter lost their lives in a deadly ambush by a suspected ISIS gunman near Palmyra, Syria, on December 13, 2025. The attack, the first U.S. combat fatalities in the region since President Trump’s return to office, prompted swift vows of retaliation from the White House amid ongoing counter-terrorism operations.

Attack Details and Immediate Response

The incident unfolded during a joint U.S.-Syrian “key leader engagement” patrol in central Syria, where a lone gunman—believed to be a former Syrian security force member with ISIS ties—opened fire, killing the three Americans and wounding three U.S. service members. Partner Syrian forces neutralized the attacker on site, while two Syrian troops also sustained injuries. U.S. Central Command confirmed the ambush targeted counter-ISIS efforts, with F-16 jets and A-10 aircraft conducting shows of force overhead, including flares over Palmyra.​

Trump’s Vow for Retaliation

President Donald Trump condemned the strike as an “ISIS attack against the U.S. and Syria in a very dangerous part of Syria,” posting on social media that “there will be very serious retaliation.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed this, noting the gunman was killed by partners, while Special Envoy Tom Barrack mourned the losses and reaffirmed commitment to Syrian allies. The fallen soldiers hailed from the Iowa National Guard, deployed since May under Operation Inherent Resolve.​

Regional Context and Implications

This marks a stark escalation post-Bashar al-Assad’s overthrow, testing fragile U.S.-Syria cooperation against ISIS remnants despite a recent political pact. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell withheld identities pending family notifications, as no group has claimed responsibility. Analysts warn of potential reprisals drawing U.S. deeper into volatile central Syria, where ISIS cells persist amid power vacuums.​