US Vows Retaliation After Deadly ISIS Attack in Syria

Two U.S. Army soldiers and an American civilian interpreter were killed in an ambush by an ISIS gunman in Palmyra, Syria, on December 14, 2025. The U.S. troops were members of the Iowa National Guard, and the attack also resulted in injuries to three additional soldiers.

Preliminary reports indicate that the assailant was a former low-level member of the Syrian Security Forces before aligning with ISIS. President Donald Trump condemned the attack and promised 'very serious retaliation' against ISIS, expressing condolences for the fallen service members and confirming that the injured soldiers are recovering.

This incident underscores the ongoing dangers facing U.S. forces in the volatile regions of Syria, where ISIS remains active despite previous territorial losses. The Pentagon characterized the incident as an ambush, confirming it was not a green-on-blue attack, as the gunman was not part of the U.S.-Syrian partnered delegation being escorted at the time.