Three Americans Killed in ISIS Ambush in Syria as U.S. Warns of Retaliation

Two U.S. Army soldiers and a U.S. civilian interpreter were killed on Saturday in an ambush in central Syria, while three additional American service members were wounded, U.S. officials said. The attack occurred near the historic city of Palmyra as U.S. forces were supporting counterterrorism operations against the Islamic State.

The incident marks one of the deadliest attacks on U.S. personnel in Syria in years and comes during renewed coordination between American and Syrian forces aimed at combating remaining Islamic State elements operating in the region. The ambush took place in a sensitive operational environment where Syrian government control remains limited.

U.S. Central Command said the Americans were ambushed by a lone Islamic State gunman in Palmyra, central Syria. The attacker was engaged and killed by partner forces, and the incident remains under investigation. “Today in Palmyra, Syria, two United States Army soldiers and one civilian U.S. interpreter were killed, and three were wounded,” Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said. “The attack occurred as the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement.”

President Donald Trump responded forcefully to the attack, repeatedly describing it as an Islamic State assault and warning of a strong U.S. response. Speaking to reporters at the White House and later posting on Truth Social, Trump emphasized both American losses and cooperation with Syrian forces in the area. “We mourn the loss of the three great American patriots,” Trump told reporters. “Two soldiers and one civilian interpreter. We’re also praying for the three wounded soldiers, who, it’s been confirmed, are doing pretty well.” Trump said the attack occurred in a dangerous part of Syria that is not fully under government control and described it as an assault targeting both American and Syrian forces. “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 wrote on Truth Social. “There will be very serious retaliation.”

The president also pointed to coordination with Damascus and said Syria’s leadership was deeply shaken by the incident. “Syria, by the way, was fighting along with us,” Trump told reporters, adding that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa was “extremely angry and disturbed by this attack.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the attacker was killed by partner forces and emphasized U.S. resolve following the ambush. “The savage who perpetrated this attack was killed,” Hegseth said. “If you target Americans anywhere in the world, you will spend the rest of your brief life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and kill you.” Pentagon officials said the attack remains under active investigation.

Syrian authorities condemned the ambush but offered a more cautious account of the attacker’s identity. Syria’s state news agency SANA reported that two Syrian security personnel were wounded in the incident, along with several American troops, and said U.S. helicopters evacuated the injured to the al-Tanf base near the borders with Iraq and Jordan. A Syrian Interior Ministry spokesperson said the gunman did not hold a leadership role within the security forces and that authorities are examining whether he was an Islamic State member or someone inspired by extremist ideology.

Conflicting reports have emerged regarding who carried out the attack. Reuters, citing three local officials, reported that the attacker was a member of the Syrian security forces. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights issued a similar claim. Syrian officials denied that the gunman held a security position, while U.S. officials have maintained that the attack was carried out by Islamic State. No group has claimed responsibility, and the gunman’s identity has not been publicly released.

The United States has maintained a military presence in Syria since 2015 as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the American-led coalition formed to defeat the Islamic State. Although a U.S.-backed alliance of Syrian fighters declared in 2019 that ISIS had lost the last territory it controlled, the group has continued to carry out attacks. The United Nations estimates that between 5,000 and 7,000 ISIS fighters remain active across Syria and Iraq.

Following the attack, U.S. Ambassador Tom Barrack condemned what he described as a “cowardly terrorist ambush” and said Washington remained committed to working with its partners to defeat terrorism. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani also issued a statement condemning the attack and offering condolences to the victims’ families.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Israel “stands shoulder to shoulder with the United States” and expressed condolences to the families of those killed, while wishing a swift recovery to the wounded.

U.S. officials said further updates would be released as the investigation continues, while the administration has not detailed what form any retaliation might take.