Two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in an ambush by an Islamic State (ISIS) gunman in Syria on Saturday, officials confirmed. Three others were wounded during the attack, which took place amid an ongoing US-led counter-terrorism operation. The Pentagon withheld the victims’ names pending next-of-kin notification.
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the troops were supporting counter-ISIS operations, and US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth confirmed the attacker was killed by partner forces. Hegseth warned, “Anyone who targets Americans will be pursued relentlessly by the United States.” ISIS has not claimed responsibility.
Syrian authorities stated that intelligence warnings had been issued prior to the attack. A spokesperson said the assailant opened fire at a command facility gate before being neutralised. The incident prompted road closures and US helicopter evacuations to Al-Tanf military base. Saturday’s attack is the deadliest involving US personnel in Syria since 2019.