ISIS Ambush in Syria Kills Three U.S. Personnel, Trump Vows Serious Retaliation
On December 13, 2025, a lone ISIS gunman ambushed a U.S. unit near the al-Tanf garrison in southern Syria, killing two Army soldiers and an American interpreter while wounding three other soldiers. The attack took place during a leader-engagement operation as part of ongoing counter-ISIS efforts.
The attacker was killed by partner forces, according to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. The identities and units of the fallen personnel were withheld for 24 hours following next of kin notification.
President Donald Trump, departing the White House for the Army-Navy game, posted on Truth Social a pledge of very serious retaliation against ISIS in response to the deadly ambush.
As of June 2025, approximately 1,500 U.S. troops remained in Syria, with plans to reduce the force to a few hundred by the end of the year. Initially, the U.S. operated eight bases in Syria to monitor ISIS activity, but three have since been closed or transferred to the Syrian Democratic Forces.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa expressed extreme anger and disturbance over the attack.
