U.S. Troops Killed in ISIS Ambushes in Syria

Two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in an attack in central Syria on Saturday, U.S. military officials confirmed. The assault, carried out by a single gunman linked to the Islamic State (ISIS) militant group, targeted a joint patrol of U.S. and Syrian partner forces [25460][25507].

The incident occurred near the historic town of Palmyra [26969]. In addition to the fatalities, three other U.S. service members were wounded and are in stable condition [25547][26969]. The deceased soldiers were identified as members of the Iowa Army National Guard [26969].

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated the attack was an ambush. The gunman, who was killed by return fire, is suspected of having been an ISIS infiltrator within local forces, highlighting a significant security challenge [26057][25547]. President Trump and military officials have publicly blamed ISIS for the assault [26057].

This marks one of the deadliest attacks on U.S. personnel in Syria in recent years [25547]. Approximately 900 U.S. troops remain in the country as part of a continued mission to advise local forces and prevent a resurgence of ISIS, which lost its last territorial hold in 2019 but continues insurgent operations [25557][25499].

The Department of Defense is withholding the identities of the deceased until their families are notified [25499]. An investigation into the ambush is ongoing [25557].