"This was an attack by ISIS on the US and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria that is not completely under their control," Trump said in a post on his social network Truth Social.
"Retribution will follow"
"The President of Syria Ahmed al-Shara is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack. There will be very serious retaliation," Trump emphasized.
🟠Officials: Palmyra attacker was member of General Security
🌐 More (https://t.co/dvnGojc66k)
🔔 HAWAR NEWS AGENCY #ANHAhttps://t.co/3J4Ju1wCUU ✅ pic.twitter.com/lUmucPNORj— ANHA English (@enhawarnews) December 13, 2025
Earlier today, two members of the US military and an American civilian working as a translator were killed after the Syrian city of Palmyra opened fire on American and Syrian forces during a mission in central Syria, US military officials said.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated on the X network that the attack took place during a"meeting with key local leaders", adding that three other members of the US forces were wounded in the incident, reports CBS News.
According to him, the mission was part of ongoing operations against the terrorist organization Islamic State (ISIS).
🟢 Scenes of American military aircraft flying in the skies of the city of Palmyra ⚠️
tg/Syrian_Compass/117372 pic.twitter.com/KDE5ape2Gn— John Spectator (@johnspectator) December 13, 2025
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the attack was the result of an ambush by a"lone ISIS attacker" in Syria and that the attacker was killed.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said that"partner forces have eliminated the attacker", saying that the US will pursue those who attack American citizens anywhere in the world.
The American ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, Tom Barak, condemned what he called the"cowardly terrorist ambush", expressing his condolences to the families of the victims and the wish for a speedy recovery for the wounded Syrian soldiers.
