Trump Vows Strong Response to ISIS Attack on U.S. Forces in Syria

U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed a strong response following an attack by the terrorist group ISIS on American forces in Syria. In a statement, Trump said the United States would respond to the attack targeting U.S. troops and warned that any future assaults would also be met with severe retaliation.

According to reports, the attack took place on Saturday local time in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra. Two U.S. soldiers and one interpreter were killed in the assault, while three other American troops were seriously injured.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees military operations in the Middle East, said the attacker was identified and killed in a counter-operation shortly after the incident. CENTCOM added that, in line with Pentagon policy, the identities of the deceased soldiers will not be released until their next of kin have been notified.

Following the incident, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a post on social media platform X that the attacker had been “killed.” He issued a warning, stating that if Americans are attacked anywhere in the world, the United States will track down those responsible and eliminate them.

Earlier, Syria’s state news agency SANA reported that gunfire was directed at Syrian security forces and U.S. troops during a joint patrol near Palmyra in Homs province. After the attack, traffic on nearby roads was temporarily suspended, and military aerial patrols were intensified in the area.

SANA also reported that the injured personnel were evacuated by U.S. military helicopters to the Al-Tanf base near the Iraqi border.

Analysts say this is the first deadly attack on U.S. forces in Syria since the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad a year ago.

The United States has maintained troops in northeastern Syria for nearly a decade as part of the fight against ISIS, providing support to Kurdish-led forces in the region. Although ISIS was declared defeated in Syria in 2018, the group continues to carry out sporadic attacks.

Meanwhile, Syria remains mired in deep security and economic crises despite ongoing efforts to rebuild the country after 14 years of a devastating civil war.