2 US soldiers, civilian killed after attack on US-Syrian patrol in Syria, Pentagon says

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the troops were carrying out a “key leader engagement” at the time of the attack.

“Their mission was in support of ongoing counter-ISIS and counterterrorism operations in the region,” Parnell said in a post on X.

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

The Pentagon said the attacker was killed by partner forces. US Central Command said the incident was an ambush by a lone Islamic State gunman, who was later shot dead.

However, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a post on X that the attacker was “killed by partner forces.” He said the incident was under investigation.

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

The Pentagon said the names of the soldiers and details of their units would be released after next-of-kin notifications were completed.

Syria’s state news agency SANA said two members of Syrian security forces were also wounded in the attack.

The United States has several hundred troops in eastern Syria as part of an international coalition fighting Islamic State. Although the group was defeated territorially in Syria in 2019, US officials say its fighters continue to carry out attacks.

US troops in Syria have been targeted before. In 2019, a bombing in the town of Manbij killed two US service members and two American civilians during a patrol.