Three Americans Killed in ISIS Attack in Syria

On December 13, a deadly ambush by a lone ISIS gunman in the central Syrian town of Palmyra claimed the lives of two U.S. Army soldiers and a civilian interpreter, while three others were wounded, according to statements from the Pentagon and U.S. Central Command. The incident occurred as U.S. forces were conducting a key leader engagement in support of ongoing counter-ISIS and counterterrorism operations.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed the attack, noting that the incident is under active investigation. "Today in Palmyra, Syria, two United States Army soldiers and one civilian U.S. interpreter were killed, and three were wounded," Parnell said via social media. The names and unit details of the fallen have not been released, pending notification of their next of kin, in accordance with Department of War policy.

U.S. Central Command reported that the casualties were the result of "an ambush by a lone ISIS gunman," who was subsequently engaged and killed by U.S. forces. Syrian service members were also wounded in the attack, according to Syria's state news agency SANA. The wounded Americans were evacuated by U.S. helicopters to a base in Syria's Al-Tanf region near the Iraqi border.

President Donald Trump offered condolences to the families of those killed.

Speaking to reporters before the Army-Navy football game, he said: "We mourn the loss of three great patriots in Syria... It was an ambush, terrible. We also have three wounded. They seem to be doing pretty well."

On Truth Social, he posted: "This was an ISIS attack against the U.S. and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria... There will be very serious retaliation.".

Speaking to reporters before the Army-Navy football game, he said: "We mourn the loss of three great patriots in Syria... It was an ambush, terrible. We also have three wounded. They seem to be doing pretty well."