On December 13, 2025, two U.S. Army soldiers and one American civilian interpreter were killed in an ambush in central Syria, as confirmed by U.S. military officials. The attack, attributed to a lone gunman affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS), also resulted in injuries to three additional service members. This incident marks the first U.S. military casualties in Syria since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime a year earlier.

The ambush occurred near the historic site of Palmyra during a 'key leader engagement' as part of ongoing counter-terrorism operations. U.S. Central Command characterized the incident as an ambush, stating that the assailant was subsequently killed. Reports from Syria's state-run SANA news agency indicated that two members of Syria's security forces were also injured, although their conditions were not disclosed.

In response to the attack, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would pursue "very serious retaliation" against those responsible. He expressed condolences for the deceased, referring to them as "great American patriots," and emphasized the U.S. commitment to collaborate with Syrian forces in counter-terrorism efforts. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reiterated a strong stance against attacks on U.S. personnel, stating that such actions would result in severe consequences.

The U.S. maintains a military presence in eastern Syria as part of a coalition aimed at combating ISIS, which, despite being declared defeated in 2019, continues to operate sleeper cells that pose a threat. The United Nations estimates that between 5,000 and 7,000 ISIS fighters remain active in Syria and Iraq. The complexities of U.S. military operations in the region often intersect with broader geopolitical strategies and corporate interests, raising questions about the humanitarian implications for local populations.

This incident follows a significant shift in U.S.-Syria relations, marked by the recent visit of interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to Washington, which was the first by a Syrian head of state since the Assad regime's fall. The U.S. had previously lacked diplomatic relations with Syria under Assad, but ties have begun to thaw, with Syria recently joining the international coalition against ISIS. The attack occurred during a joint tour of coalition leaders and Syrian security forces in the Badia region, highlighting ongoing security challenges in the area.

U.S. helicopters were deployed to evacuate the wounded to the Al-Tanf base, and the incident has drawn attention to the broader implications of military engagement in conflict zones, particularly regarding the humanitarian impact on local communities.