Terror Attack in Syria Claims Lives of Two U.S. Soldiers, Trump Vows ‘Serious Retaliation’ [WATCH]

Two U.S. Army soldiers and an American civilian interpreter were killed Saturday during an attack in Syria, according to the Department of War.

Three additional personnel were wounded in the incident, which occurred while U.S. forces were conducting operations in the region.

Sean Parnell, chief spokesman for the Pentagon, confirmed the deaths in a statement posted to X.

Parnell said the attack took place as the U.S. soldiers were carrying out a “key leader engagement,” a term used to describe meetings conducted as part of military operations.

“The soldiers’ mission was in support of on-going counter-ISIS/counter-terrorism operations in the region,” Parnell wrote.

He added that the attack occurred in an area of Syria that is not under the control of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, according to reporting by Fox News citing a Pentagon official.

Parnell said identifying information for the fallen service members has not yet been released.

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“The soldiers’ names, as well as identifying information about their units, are being withheld until 24 hours after the next of kin notification,” he stated.

“This attack is currently under active investigation.”

Today in Palmyra, Syria, two United States Army soldiers and one civilian U.S. interpreter were killed, and three were wounded.

The attack occurred as the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement. Their mission was in support of on-going counter-ISIS / counter-terrorism…

— Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellASW) December 13, 2025

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth also addressed the attack in a statement posted Saturday on X.

Hegseth said the individual responsible for carrying out the attack was killed shortly afterward.

“The ‘savage’ who perpetrated the attack was ‘killed by partner forces,’” Hegseth wrote.

He added a warning directed at those who may target Americans abroad.

“Let it be known, if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the U.S. will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you,” Hegseth said.

The savage who perpetrated this attack was killed by partner forces.

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. https://t.co/P7D9NrWpAL

— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) December 13, 2025

According to The New York Times, U.S. and Syrian forces came under attack during a joint patrol near the city of Palmyra.

The report cited Syria’s state-run news agency, SANA. U.S. Central Command also confirmed the deaths in a separate statement posted to X on Saturday, noting that further updates would be released as additional information becomes available.

The deaths prompted a response from President Trump, who addressed the incident in a post on Truth Social.

“We mourn the loss of three Great American Patriots in Syria, two soldiers, and one Civilian Interpreter,” President Trump wrote.

“Likewise, we pray for the three injured soldiers who, it has just been confirmed, are doing well.”

President Trump said the attack was carried out by ISIS and took place in a particularly dangerous region of the country.

“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,” he wrote.

The president also commented on the reaction from Syrian leadership.

“The President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack,” Trump stated.

“There will be very serious retaliation. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Officials have not released further details about the circumstances surrounding the attack or the identity of the civilian interpreter who was killed.

The condition of the three wounded personnel has not been updated beyond the president’s statement that they are “doing well.”