US soldiers, civilian interpreter killed during ambush in Syria by apparent ISIS gunman: Officials
Three individuals, including two U.S. soldiers and one civilian U.S. interpreter, tragically lost their lives in Syria on Saturday after being ambushed by a suspected ISIS gunman, as confirmed by U.S. officials. The assailant was neutralized by “partner forces” during the confrontation, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell disclosed that three additional service members sustained injuries during the incident in Palmyra, Syria, with reports indicating that they were American personnel. The soldiers were engaged in a critical leader engagement as part of their mission to support ongoing counter-ISIS and counter-terrorism efforts in the region.
This incident marked the first combat fatalities since President Donald Trump resumed office. President Trump expressed his condolences for the fallen soldiers and condemned the attack on social media, vowing significant retaliation in response to the aggression. He described the event as an “ISIS attack against the U.S. and Syria in a highly volatile region not entirely under their control.”
President Trump reiterated his commitment to retaliate during a brief interaction with the press, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. The identities of the deceased soldiers were withheld pending notification of next-of-kin, officials stated.
The casualties in this recent attack represent the first combat deaths in Syria since 2019 when four Americans perished in a suicide bombing in Manbij, Syria. Prior to this incident, there were a total of 10 U.S. military fatalities in Syria, encompassing both hostile and non-hostile deaths. The most recent U.S. military fatality in Syria before this event was a non-hostile death in February 2022.
It is crucial to honor the bravery and sacrifice of these individuals who lost their lives in service to their country. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones during this difficult time.
