Saturday, March 29, 2025
Washington/Damascus | December 14, 2025
US President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning of “very severe retaliation” following a deadly ISIS attack in central Syria that killed two American soldiers and one civilian. The incident occurred near the historic city of Palmyra, a region that has witnessed repeated militant activity despite ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
According to Syria’s state-run news agency SANA, the attack took place close to Palmyra during a joint US–Syrian patrol. Several people were injured in the shooting and were evacuated by helicopter to the Al-Tanf garrison, a strategic military base located near the Syria–Iraq–Jordan border.
US officials said the attack was carried out by a lone ISIS gunman, who opened fire during a security engagement involving American forces. The attacker was killed on the spot. In addition to the three fatalities, three more US soldiers were injured, though officials confirmed that their condition is stable.
A Syrian official stated that the gunfire erupted during a meeting between Syrian and American officials at a military base in the area. Eyewitnesses reported hearing sustained gunfire from inside the facility, triggering panic and emergency evacuations.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the American troops were participating in a counter-terrorism mission involving “key leadership engagement” when the attack occurred. The US Central Command described the incident as a targeted assault by ISIS aimed at destabilizing joint security operations.
Reacting to the attack, President Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social, expressing grief over the loss of what he called “three great patriots.” He wrote that the United States would not let the attack go unanswered.
“This was an ISIS attack on the United States and Syria, carried out in a very dangerous region that is not fully under control,” Trump said. “There will be a very serious response.”
Trump also confirmed that the injured soldiers are receiving treatment and are currently in stable condition.
Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly terrorist act.” In a statement posted on social media, he expressed condolences to the families of the victims and solidarity with the US government, while wishing a speedy recovery to the wounded.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Syria’s Interior Ministry claimed that intelligence warnings about potential ISIS infiltration had been issued earlier. However, the official alleged that the international coalition failed to act decisively on those alerts, allowing the attacker to strike.
The attack has renewed concerns about a possible resurgence of ISIS cells in central and eastern Syria, particularly in areas with limited control and overlapping military presence. Despite years of operations against the terror group, ISIS continues to exploit security gaps to carry out deadly attacks.
As tensions rise, Trump’s warning signals the possibility of intensified US military action in the region in response to the deaths of American personnel.
