Shock Attack: Three Americans Killed in ISIS Ambush During Syria Patrol, Trump is Furious

Two U.S. Army soldiers and a civilian American interpreter were killed Saturday in an ambush by a lone Islamic State (ISIS) gunman during a joint counterterrorism operation in the historic city of Palmyra, central Syria, U.S. military officials confirmed. Three other U.S. personnel were wounded in the attack, which marks the first American fatalities in Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad one year ago.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) described the incident as an "ambush by a lone ISIS gunman" that occurred while the troops were conducting a "key leader engagement" with Syrian partners. The attacker was "engaged and killed" by return fire from partner forces.The identities of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin, per Department of Defense policy.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday there will be "very serious retaliation" against ISIS following an attack which killed 2 U.S. soldiers, a civilian and injured three others in Syria.Speaking to reporters at the White House before departing for the Army-Navy football game, President Trump called it "an ISIS attack" and stated, "We will retaliate." He added, "We mourn the loss. We pray for their parents and loved ones," noting that the wounded "seem to be doing well" and expressing devastation from Syria's leadership.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth condemned the attack, posting on social media: "The savage who perpetrated this attack was killed by partner forces. 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 ambush occurred amid strengthened U.S.-Syrian cooperation against ISIS remnants, following Syria's entry into the international anti-ISIS coalition last month and improved relations after Assad's ouster. Syrian state media reported two Syrian security personnel were also wounded, with highways temporarily closed and U.S. helicopters evacuating the injured to the Al-Tanf base.

Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its ancient ruins, was once an ISIS stronghold and remains a hotspot for counterterrorism in the Syrian desert.The U.S. maintains several hundred to around 2,000 troops in Syria, focused on preventing an ISIS resurgence. Though territorially defeated in 2019, ISIS sleeper cells persist, with UN estimates of 5,000–7,000 fighters across Syria and Iraq.

The incident is under investigation by CENTCOM, with no official claim of responsibility yet, though U.S. officials attribute it to ISIS. Some reports suggest the attacker may have been affiliated with Syrian security forces showing extremist ties.