Trump vows for retaliation against ISIS attack

On 13 December 2025, a deadly ambush in central Syria killed 2 United States service members and an American civilian, sharply reminding Washington and Damascus that the threat posed by extremist violence has not disappeared despite recent political shifts.

The attack, which occurred near the historic city of Palmyra, comes at a sensitive moment as Syria seeks to reestablish ties with Western powers and deepen cooperation with the US against the remnants of the Islamic State (IS), formerly known a Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The attack near Palmyra

According to US Central Command, the incident took place during a joint mission involving American forces and Syrian security personnel.

A lone gunman opened fire, killing 2 American soldiers and a civilian interpreter, and wounding several others. The injured were evacuated by helicopter to the US garrison at al-Tanf, near Syria’s borders with Jordan. Syrian state media reported that the attacker was killed at the scene, though details initially remained limited.

This was the first attack to cause American casualties in Syria since the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad a year earlier, marking a grim milestone in the country’s post-Assad transition.

Conflicting accounts and responsibility

US officials assessed that the attack was carried out by an IS operative, consistent with the group’s history of targeting coalition forces.

Syrian authorities, however, later stated that the gunman was a member of Syria’s own security forces who had embraced extremist ideas and was already under review for dismissal. Syrian officials said warnings about possible IS infiltration in the area had been shared with coalition partners prior to the incident.

Despite differing narratives, both sides described the shooting as a terrorist act and emphasized the need for accountability. Syrian authorities announced the arrest of several suspects connected to the attacker, while the Pentagon confirmed the gunman was neutralized by partner forces.

Political and military repercussions

The attack triggered strong reactions in Washington. US President Donald Trump vowed “very serious retaliation” against IS, while Secretary of War Pete Hegseth warned that those who target Americans would be relentlessly pursued.

At the same time, Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa sent condolences to the White House, condemning the attack and reaffirming Syria’s commitment to security cooperation.

The incident underscores the fragile nature of security in Syria’s vast desert regions, where IS sleeper cells remain active. Although the group was territorially defeated in 2019, the United Nations (UN) estimates that thousands of its fighters are still operating in Syria and Iraq.

Hence, the Palmyra ambush highlights the persistent risks facing US forces and their partners in Syria, even amid improving diplomatic relations and renewed cooperation against IS. It also exposes vulnerabilities within local security structures at a time when Damascus is seeking international legitimacy. As investigations continue and arrests are made, the attack serves as a sobering reminder that defeating extremist networks requires not only military pressure, but sustained coordination, intelligence sharing, and institutional reform.