President Donald Trump announced plans for "very serious retaliation" after an attack in Syria resulted in the deaths of two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter on Saturday (December 13). The ambush, carried out by a lone ISIS gunman, also injured three other service members, according to US Central Command and the Department of Defense.

The attack occurred near Palmyra, a historically significant site in central Syria, while the soldiers were engaged in a key leader meeting. The gunman, who was killed during the encounter, is believed to have ties to the Islamic State group. The identities of the deceased are being withheld until their families are notified.

President Trump emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating on his Truth Social platform, "This was an ISIS attack against the US and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria that is not fully controlled by them." He assured that the injured soldiers are "doing well" and highlighted Syria's cooperation in the fight against ISIS.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed Trump's sentiments, stating on X, "Let it be known, if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you."

The incident marks the first fatal attack on US troops in Syria since the fall of President Bashar Assad last year. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who recently met with Trump at the White House, expressed his anger and commitment to combating terrorism alongside US forces.

The attack is under active investigation, and the US military presence in Syria remains focused on counter-terrorism operations against ISIS sleeper cells. The United Nations estimates that between 5,000 and 7,000 ISIS fighters are still active in Syria and Iraq.

Simon Conway