Officials: US Soldiers, Civilian Interpreter Killed During Ambush In Syria By Apparent ISIS Gunman
A deadly attack in Syria claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a U.S. civilian interpreter after their unit was ambushed near Palmyra, according to U.S. officials. The assault, believed to have been carried out by an ISIS-linked gunman, erupted during what was supposed to be a routine engagement with local leaders.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reported that the attacker was ultimately shot and killed by partnered forces in the area. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell later confirmed that three additional service members were hurt during the encounter, and two U.S. officials stated that all three of the injured were American.
In a formal statement, Parnell explained, “The attack occurred as the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement. Their mission was in support of on-going counter-ISIS / counter-terrorism operations in the region.”
The incident comes at a significant moment, marking the first combat fatalities since President Donald Trump returned to office. He reacted publicly within hours, posting condolences and condemning the killers. In his message, Trump wrote, “The President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack. There will be very serious retaliation. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Trump also insisted that the ambush was an act of terrorism, stating that it 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 later reinforced his stance in brief comments to reporters, reminding them as he walked off, “We will retaliate.”
Officials have not yet released the names of the fallen as families are still being notified. The tragedy stands as the deadliest U.S. event in Syria in years, representing the first American combat deaths there since 2019, when a suicide bombing in Manbij killed four Americans. Until now, ten U.S. service members had died in Syria over the years, from both hostile and accidental causes, with the most recent non-hostile loss occurring in February 2022.
{Matzav.com}
