President Donald Trump issued a stark warning Saturday, promising “very serious retaliation” after a lone Islamic State terrorist ambushed and killed two U.S. Army soldiers and a U.S. interpreter in Syria.
The Pentagon confirmed earlier that the attack took place in the central Syrian city of Palmyra. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the ambush left three additional Americans wounded. U.S. Central Command was blunt in its assessment: the deaths and injuries were the direct result of a targeted ISIS attack.
“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“The President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack. There will be very serious retaliation,” he added.
In comments to reporters outside of the White House on Saturday, Trump also 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.” Parnell noted on X that the attack took place as the soldiers “were conducting a key leader engagement.”
“Their mission was in support of ongoing counter-ISIS/counter-terrorism operations in the region,” he added, noting that “The soldiers’ names, as well as identifying information about their units, are being withheld until 24 hours after the next of kin notification. ”
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said that, “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,” Hegseth also said in a post on X.
Parnell said the attack remains under investigation, though the broader context is already clear. A Pentagon official told Fox News Digital that the ambush occurred in territory outside the control of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
“I’m praying for the brave U.S. soldiers and civilian who lost their lives, those who were injured in this attack, and the families who bear this profound loss,” Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll wrote on X. “The men and women who serve our country represent the very best of our nation. We mourn the passing of these heroes and honor their service and sacrifice.”
It’s not clear what Trump meant by “serious retaliation,” but if his past actions are any guide, I wouldn’t want to be a member of ISIS right now anyone on the globe, much less Syria.Trump Vows Retaliation Following Deadly Attack on U.S. Troops in Syria