ISIS Ambush in Syria Kills Two U.S. Soldiers and Civilian Interpreter Near Palmyra

Palmyra, Syria—December 14, 2025 — A deadly terrorist ambush in central Syria on Saturday, 13 December 2025, left two U.S. service members and one American civilian interpreter dead, with additional personnel injured, in an attack that U.S. officials and allies have blamed on the Islamic State (ISIS) militant group. 

The incident occurred near the historic desert city of Palmyra during a joint patrol by United States and Syrian security forces engaged in counter-terrorism operations. 

Casualties and Attack Details

According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and Syrian state media reports:

• Fatalities: Two U.S. soldiers and one U.S. civilian interpreter were killed in the ambush.

• Injuries: Three U.S. service members and at least two Syrian security personnel were wounded in the attack.

• Perpetrator: A lone gunman linked to ISIS opened fire on the patrol and was subsequently killed by partner forces.

The attack took place in an area of Syria that remains unstable and partially outside full government control, where remnants of ISIS continue to operate despite territorial defeats in prior years. 

Government and International Response

U.S. President Donald Trump condemned the ambush and vowed “very serious retaliation” against those responsible, describing the act as a terrorist assault on coalition forces. 

Syrian authorities also denounced the attack as terrorism, extending condolences to the families of the victims and to the U.S. government.

Regional and international partners, including Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, issued statements condemning the violence and reaffirming support for counter-terrorism efforts in Syria. 

Context and Significance

The ambush underscores the ongoing security challenges in Syria, where ISIS remnants persist as an insurgent threat. Despite significant counter-terrorism gains in recent years, extremist elements continue to target military personnel and civilian partners supporting stabilization missions.

This attack marks one of the deadliest incidents affecting U.S. personnel in Syria in 2025, highlighting the risks to international forces and the volatility that remains in the region.