President Donald Trump condemned an ISIS ambush in Syria that killed three Americans — two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter — calling it a terrorist attack and pledging retaliation. In a Truth Social post, Trump said the nation mourns the fallen and is praying for three additional U.S. service members wounded in the attack, noting that the injured are recovering. He described the incident as a targeted ISIS assault in a volatile region of Syria not fully controlled by the Syrian government, adding that Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa was “extremely angry and disturbed” by the attack.
Speaking with reporters while traveling to the Army–Navy football game, Trump said the killings occurred during an ambush. He emphasized that the Syrian government has been cooperating with U.S. forces on counter-ISIS efforts and described the attack as one against both the United States and Syria. Asked whether the U.S. would respond militarily, Trump confirmed retaliation was forthcoming, saying simply, “We will retaliate.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth later announced that the attacker had been killed by partner forces. Pentagon officials said the ambush occurred in the central Syrian town of Palmyra during a key leader engagement supporting counter-terrorism operations. About 900 U.S. troops remain stationed in Syria as part of ongoing efforts to prevent ISIS from re-establishing a caliphate, as the attack comes amid commemorations marking the first anniversary of the Assad regime’s collapse.