Two American soldiers and a US civilian interpreter were killed in Syria after coming under fire from an (ISIS) gunman, according to a statement from the US military.
The incident took place in the central Syrian city of Palmyra during what officials described as a routine engagement with local leaders. Three additional US service members were injured in the attack. The assailant was later confronted and killed by security forces.
US Central Command said early findings indicate the ambush was carried out by a lone ISIS-linked attacker. A Pentagon official confirmed that intelligence assessments strongly suggest the ISIS was responsible.
The names of those killed have not yet been released, as the US military follows a 24-hour policy to notify family members before making identities public.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a strong warning following the attack, saying that anyone who targets American personnel anywhere in the world would face relentless retaliation. He stressed that the United States would pursue those responsible without hesitation.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that the attack occurred in a region outside the control of Syria’s central government, highlighting ongoing security challenges in the area.
Meanwhile, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed the attacker may have been linked to Syrian security forces, though no official confirmation has been provided. No group has formally claimed responsibility so far, and the gunman’s identity remains undisclosed.
Syrian state media reported that two Syrian personnel were also wounded during the incident.
Syria recently joined an international coalition aimed at eliminating the remaining ISIS network and has pledged increased cooperation with the United States. Last month, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met former US President Donald Trump at the White House, describing the talks as the beginning of a new phase in US–Syria relations.
Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly terrorist ambush” and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to combating terrorism alongside Syrian partners.