Trump says 'we will retaliate' after attack on Americans in Syria

WASHINGTON, DC: On Saturday, December 13, shots were fired at the US and Syrian forces in central Syria near the historic town of Palmyra, resulting in the deaths of two US Army soldiers and one US civilian interpreter.

President Donald Trump told reporters that the US intends to respond to the attack. He also expressed his condolences.

Military officials and political leaders reacted strongly to the attack, which was described as being linked to the Islamic State, and affirmed ongoing counter‑te**orism efforts in the region. 

Trump responds to the attack 

Trump, speaking on the incident, said, "We have great patriots in Syria. You know how it happened, an ambush. Terrible."

Giving details about the condition of the wounded soldiers, he affirmed, "We also have three wounded. They seem to be doing pretty well. But we mourn the loss."

Noting the cooperation between forces on the ground, Trump added, "Syria, by the way, was fighting along with us." 

Commenting on the reaction of Syrian leadership, Trump said, "The President, the new President of Syria is, as they told me, and I'm not surprised, he's devastated by what happened."

Highlighting the nature of the assault and expressing condolences, He said, "This was an ISIS attack on us and Syria. And again, we mourn the loss and we pray for them and their parents and their loved ones."

When reporters asked "whether the US would retaliate against ISIS," the president responded firmly, "Yes, we will retaliate."

Officials respond to deadly ambush in Syria

The incident occurred as the troops were conducting what Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell described as a “key leader engagement” in support of ongoing counter‑ISIS and counter‑te**orism operations in the region. 

US Central Command characterized the assault as an ambush by a lone ISIS gunman, reporting that the attacker was subsequently engaged and killed.

The shooting took place near the ancient city of Palmyra, and according to Syria’s state‑run SANA news agency, two members of Syria’s own security forces were also wounded in the attack.

Parnell stated that the names of the deceased soldiers and further identifying details, including information about their units, would be withheld until at least 24 hours after next‑of‑kin notifications.

He also noted that the attack was under active investigation by military authorities.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth took to social media to condemn the assault, emphasizing that anyone who targets American forces will be pursued.

He wrote that the “savage who perpetrated this attack was killed” by partner forces, indicating close cooperation between coalition and local troops on the ground.