U.S. officials confirmed the deaths occurred during a counterterrorism engagement, with three additional Americans wounded and the attacker killed by partner forces.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Two U.S. Army soldiers and an American civilian interpreter were killed during an attack in Syria on Saturday, the Department of War announced, confirming one of the deadliest incidents involving U.S. personnel in the region this year.
Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesman, announced the deaths in a statement posted on X, saying three other U.S. service members were wounded. Parnell said the attack occurred as American forces were conducting a “key leader engagement” in support of ongoing counter-ISIS and counterterrorism operations.
“The soldiers’ names, as well as identifying information about their units, are being withheld until 24 hours after the next of kin notification,” Parnell said, adding that the incident remains under active investigation.
According to a Pentagon official cited by Fox News, the attack took place in an area not fully controlled by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, highlighting continued instability in regions where U.S. forces operate.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth addressed the incident in a separate statement posted on X, saying the individual responsible for the 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 U.S. will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you,” Hegseth wrote.
U.S. and Syrian forces came under attack during a joint patrol near Palmyra, the New York Times reported, citing Syria’s state news agency SANA. U.S. Central Command separately confirmed the deaths in an X post, saying additional updates would be provided as more information becomes available.
President Donald Trump also responded to the attack on Truth Social, identifying the assault as an ISIS attack and pledging retaliation.
“We mourn the loss of three Great American Patriots in Syria, two soldiers, and one Civilian Interpreter,” Trump wrote. “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.”
U.S. forces remain deployed in Syria as part of counterterrorism operations targeting ISIS remnants, operating in coordination with regional partners amid ongoing security challenges and fragmented territorial control.
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