Deadly Strike on U.S. Troops Tests Trump Administration's Counter-ISIS Strategy in Syria
On December 13, 2025, in Palmyra, Syria, an ISIS-linked gunman embedded within Syria's post-Assad security forces killed two U.S. Army service members and injured an American civilian before he was shot dead. The attacker was part of a security force led by Ahmed al-Sharaa and had been internally flagged for extremist leanings; he was in the process of being reassigned.
This incident presents a significant challenge to the Trump administration's counter-ISIS plan, which heavily depends on the trustworthiness and cooperation of Syria's new leadership under al-Sharaa. Currently, about 900 U.S. troops remain in Syria, reduced from approximately 2,000 following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, with continued cooperation dependent on vetting Syrian security institutions effectively.
Reactions from lawmakers are mixed: Republicans Rand Paul and Marjorie Taylor Greene have called for reducing troop presence, while Democrat Jack Reed emphasized that ISIS remains a dangerous threat. President Trump pledged very serious retaliation and affirmed his continued confidence in al-Sharaa, though the White House has not disclosed specific retaliation measures.
Experts caution this attack highlights ongoing challenges with vetting within Syrian security forces and may pressure the administration to either maintain or adjust sanctions relief based on trust in these forces. The attack further underscores the broader policy debate over whether the U.S. should sustain its presence in Syria to prevent an ISIS resurgence.
