Two U.S. Army soldiers and a U.S. civilian interpreter were killed during an attack in central Syria while supporting ongoing counter-ISIS operations, the Pentagon confirmed. Three additional U.S. personnel were wounded and are receiving medical care.
The attack occurred near the city of Palmyra during a military engagement focused on targeting ISIS leadership. According to U.S. officials, American forces were operating in an area outside the control of Syria’s central government when they came under attack. Initial assessments indicate the assault was likely carried out by ISIS.
The Pentagon said the incident remains under active investigation. The identities of the killed service members and details about their units have not been released pending notification of next of kin.
Defense officials said the attacker was killed by U.S. partner forces shortly after the incident. No further details were provided about the individual responsible or the specific forces involved in neutralizing the threat.
Conflicting accounts have emerged regarding the attacker’s identity. While U.S. officials assess ISIS responsibility, the U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the attacker may have been affiliated with Syrian security forces. That claim has not been independently verified.
The United States maintains approximately 2,000 troops in Syria, primarily in the northeast, where they work alongside local partners to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State following its territorial defeat. U.S. forces also operate in limited areas of central and southern Syria in coordination with partner forces.
The attack comes amid evolving political conditions in Syria following the removal of long-time leader Bashar al-Assad and the emergence of a new government under Ahmed al-Sharaa. Despite renewed international engagement with Damascus, U.S. officials continue to warn that ISIS remnants remain capable of launching deadly attacks.
