Ask Onix
Three Americans killed in Syria ambush
Two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter died in an Islamic State attack near Palmyra on Sunday, the U.S. Central Command confirmed. Three other service members were wounded and are recovering.
Attack details
Centcom reported the assault was carried out by a single IS gunman who opened fire during a "key leader engagement." The assailant was "engaged and killed" by coalition forces. Syria's state media added that two Syrian soldiers also suffered injuries.
No group has claimed responsibility, and the shooter's identity remains undisclosed. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights identified the attacker as a member of Syria's security forces.
U.S. and Syrian responses
President Donald Trump labeled the incident an "ISIS attack" and vowed "very serious retaliation." On social media, he noted the injured troops were "doing well."
"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."
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani condemned the attack and offered condolences to the victims' families. U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack called the ambush a "cowardly terrorist attack" and reaffirmed Washington's commitment to defeating terrorism alongside Syrian partners.
Broader context
The ambush occurred in an area outside Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's control. U.S. forces have maintained a presence in Syria since 2015, training local allies in the fight against IS remnants.
The United Nations estimates IS still commands 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq. While a U.S.-backed coalition declared IS territorially defeated in 2019, sporadic attacks persist.
Investigation underway
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed the attack is under investigation. The identities of the deceased Americans will be released after next-of-kin notifications, expected within 24 hours.
