Two U.S. service members and an American civilian interpreter were ambushed and killed by a lone ISIS gunman near Palmyra, Syria on December 13, 2025, while three other U.S. troops were wounded in the attack. U.S. Central Command called it an ambush and confirmed the attacker was engaged and killed, while the Pentagon and other outlets report the fallen were on a counterterrorism mission at the time.
Officials say the soldiers were conducting a “key leader engagement” when the assailant opened fire, underscoring that American forces remain on the front lines against a relentless ISIS insurgency even after the group’s territorial losses. The ambush left three additional service members injured and is under active investigation as CENTCOM works to notify next of kin and piece together the circumstances.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed a hard response, saying the attacker was killed by partner forces and that anyone who targets Americans will be pursued and punished. That vow is exactly the kind of iron resolve our troops deserve, but words must be followed by clear, decisive action to deter future attacks.
Let there be no doubt: ISIS remains an active threat, not a bygone headline, and the presence of U.S. troops in Syria is still necessary to keep these killers from regaining strength. Washington’s foreign policy has spent years chasing half-measures, and now Americans have paid the price once again; the administration must not hide behind euphemisms or bureaucratic talking points.
Reports indicate wounded personnel were evacuated to U.S. facilities in the region, a grim reminder that our men and women are operating in hostile terrain without the kind of unrestricted support they need. If policymakers insist on keeping troops overseas, they owe those troops a clear mission, better force protection, and a strategic plan that prioritizes defeating terror cells rather than endless “advising” missions.
We mourn the fallen, and our first obligation is to the families who will never forget the loss of a beloved son, daughter, spouse, or friend; their grief should be met with action, not platitudes. Congress and the administration must answer simple questions: what is the objective in Syria, how are we protecting our people, and how will we ensure justice for those who attacked Americans — anything less is a betrayal of the brave souls who volunteered to carry the fight to our enemies.
