President Donald Trump said the United States will respond with “very serious retaliation” after an ISIS gunman carried out an attack in Syria that killed three Americans on Saturday—two U.S. Army soldiers and a civilian interpreter—and wounded three others.
In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump mourned those killed and said the injured service members were recovering. He attributed the attack to ISIS and said Syria’s interim president shared the U.S. outrage, warning that consequences would follow.
Why It Matters
The attack comes at a sensitive moment in U.S.-Syria relations. Following the fall of longtime Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Washington has sought to reset ties with Damascus as new leadership signals interest in closer security cooperation with the Pentagon.
Although ISIS was defeated on the battlefield in Syria in 2019, the group continues to operate through sleeper cells capable of carrying out lethal attacks. According to the United Nations, ISIS still maintains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters across Syria and Iraq. Hundreds of U.S. troops remain deployed in eastern Syria as part of a coalition mission aimed at preventing the group’s resurgence.
What to Know
Trump said the attack occurred in a particularly volatile area of Syria that is not fully under government control. He added that interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa was “extremely angry and disturbed” by the assault.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the attack and the deaths earlier Saturday, saying the gunman was killed by partner forces. Three wounded U.S. service members were evacuated by helicopter to the al-Tanf garrison near the borders of Iraq and Jordan, where they received medical treatment.
Hegseth warned that any attack on Americans would be met with relentless pursuit, underscoring the administration’s posture toward threats against U.S. personnel overseas.
The United States had no diplomatic relations with Syria during Assad’s rule, but the White House has recently encouraged closer engagement. Al-Sharaa visited Washington last month for talks with Trump as both sides explored ways to strengthen coordination against ISIS.
What People Are Saying
Trump wrote on Truth Social: “We mourn the loss of three Great American Patriots in Syria, two soldiers, and one Civilian Interpreter. Likewise, we pray for the three injured soldiers who, it has just been confirmed, are doing well. This was an ISIS attack against the U.S., and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by them. The President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack. There will be very serious retaliation.”
Hegseth said in a post on X that the attacker was killed by partner forces and warned that those who target Americans anywhere in the world would be hunted down and killed.
U.S. Central Command said the ambush was carried out by a lone ISIS gunman and noted that, out of respect for families and in line with Department of War policy, the identities of the service members would be withheld until next of kin are notified.
What Happens Next
Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, said the attack remains under investigation as U.S. officials assess the circumstances and consider next steps.
