Two US soldiers and interpreter killed by IS gunman in Syria, US military says

by Ayodeji Onibalusi December 17, 2025

written by Ayodeji Onibalusi December 17, 2025 0 comments

Two US soldiers and interpreter killed by IS gunman in Syria, US military says

Table of Contents

Two US Soldiers and Civilian Killed in Islamic State Ambush in Syria
Two American troops and a US civilian interpreter have been killed in central Syria following a deadly ambush attributed to the Islamic State (IS), according to the US Central Command (Centcom).
Three additional US service members were wounded in the attack, while Syrian state media reported that two Syrian personnel were also injured. The assailant was shot dead during the incident.
Attack Occurred During Joint Engagement in Palmyra
The ambush took place in Palmyra, a city in central Syria, while US forces were conducting what Pentagon officials described as a “key leader engagement.” Centcom said the attack was carried out by a lone IS gunman.
A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed the incident is under investigation, noting that it occurred in an area outside the Syrian president’s control.
Trump Vows Retaliation
US President Donald Trump described the incident as an “ISIS attack” on both US and Syrian forces and warned of a strong response.
“There will be a very serious retaliation,” Trump wrote on social media, adding that the wounded American personnel were “doing well.”
US and Syrian Officials Condemn the Assault
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a stern warning, saying any group targeting Americans would face relentless consequences.
Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani condemned the attack, offering condolences to the victims’ families and reaffirming Syria’s opposition to terrorism.
US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack described the incident as a “cowardly terrorist ambush” and reiterated Washington’s commitment to working alongside Syrian partners to defeat extremist groups.
Conflicting Claims Over the Attacker
While US officials identified the attacker as an IS gunman, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed the assailant was a member of Syrian security forces. No group has formally claimed responsibility, and the attacker’s identity has not been released.
US Presence and the Ongoing Fight Against IS
American troops have been stationed in Syria since 2015 as part of an international campaign to combat Islamic State, focusing on training local forces and disrupting militant operations.
Although IS lost its last territorial stronghold in Syria in 2019, the United Nations estimates the group still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters across Syria and Iraq, capable of carrying out sporadic attacks.
Fragile Security Despite Diplomatic Shifts
The attack comes just weeks after Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with Trump at the White House, signalling what Damascus described as a “new era” in relations.
Syria recently joined an international coalition against IS and pledged closer cooperation with the US, but the latest violence highlights how fragile security conditions remain.

Ayodeji Onibalusi

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Two US soldiers and interpreter killed by IS gunman in Syria, US military says

Ayodeji Onibalusi

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