US Troops, Interpreter Killed by ISIS Gunman in Syria; Trump Vows Serious Retaliation

Dec. 13, 2025 — by Chris Gordon

Two U.S. Army soldiers and an American civilian interpreter were killed in central Syria when a gunman with ties to the Islamic State group opened fire on a joint patrol, U.S. officials said. Three other U.S. service members were wounded in the ambush near Palmyra, a historic city that has seen decades of conflict.

The attack occurred as U.S. troops were conducting a key leader engagement with Syrian forces as part of ongoing counter-terrorism operations against remnants of ISIS. U.S. Central Command described the assailant as a former member of Syrian security forces believed to be aligned with ISIS. After the shooting, partner forces engaged and killed the attacker.

In response, President Donald Trump declared on social media that the United States would deliver “very serious retaliation” for the deaths of the American personnel. In a demonstration of force, U.S. Air Force F-16s were flown over the region following the incident.

Pentagon officials emphasized that U.S. forces remain committed to their mission in Syria, working with coalition and partner forces to defeat terrorist networks and prevent future attacks. The U.S. presence in eastern Syria has been a sustained effort to support partner forces against ISIS, even after the group lost territorial control years ago.