Overview
- U.S. officials say a lone ISIS attacker ambushed a joint U.S.–Syrian engagement near Palmyra during a key leader meeting tied to counterterrorism operations.
- Two U.S. soldiers and a U.S. civilian interpreter were killed and three service members were wounded, with the injured evacuated by helicopter to the al-Tanf garrison.
- Central Command reports the gunman was engaged and killed by partner forces and says the incident is under active investigation with no claim of responsibility announced.
- Syrian authorities contend the assailant was a member of their security forces under prior review for possible extremist ideology, creating a conflicting account of the shooter’s affiliation.
- President Trump promised “very serious retaliation,” and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned attackers will be hunted down, as the Pentagon withholds identities pending next-of-kin notification.