2 US Soldiers and Interpreters Killed in ISIS Attack, Trump Assures Retribution

JAKARTA - Two US soldiers and an American civilian translator were killed in Syria on Saturday last weekend after being attacked by an armed man who was most likely a member of ISIS.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the gunman was killed by "partner forces" during the fighting.

Three other military members were injured during the incident in Palmyra, Syria, said Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell. Two US officials told ABC News that the injured were Americans.

"The attack occurred when the soldiers were meeting with key leaders. Their mission is to support ongoing counter-ISIS/counter-terrorism operations in the region," Parnell said, quoted by ABC News, Monday, December 15.

It was the first combat death since President Donald Trump returned to the White House.

A person who knew the shooting incident said initial indications showed the shooter had been affiliated with the Syrian security forces but was currently inactive.

The shooter attacked US and Syrian personnel from a distance in a nearby building and was not part of an ongoing meeting, the person said.

In a post on X, US Central Command described the shooter as a "lone ISIS shooter."

Trump used social media on Saturday to offer condolences for the fallen soldiers, and condemned the attack.

"The President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is very angry and disturbed by this attack. There will be very serious retaliation. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" he said in the post.

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Trump claimed the incident was an "ISIS attack on the US and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, which is not entirely under their control."

The president reiterated his remarks with a brief comment to the press, reiterating as he walked away from reporters, "We will retaliate."

The identities of the soldiers were not immediately disclosed as notifications to next of kin were still underway, officials said.

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