US President Donald Trump on Saturday warned of a tough response after a deadly attack in Syria. The ambush killed two US soldiers and one civilian interpreter. It also injured three other American soldiers.
Trump spoke to reporters at the White House. He said the United States would act against those responsible. “We will retaliate,”
Trump added that the nation is mourning “the loss of the three great American patriots.” He also said officials are praying for the wounded soldiers, who “seem to be doing pretty well.”
ISIS gunman behind the attack
US Central Command and the Department of Defence confirmed the details in a joint statement. They said a single ISIS gunman carried out the ambush.
Trump said the US will continue to work with Syrian forces to fight terrorism in West Asia. “Syria, by the way, was fighting along with us,”
He also said Syria’s new president is “devastated by what happened.”
Mission linked to counter-terror efforts
Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell explained the purpose of the mission. He said the soldiers were supporting operations against ISIS and other terror groups.
The soldiers’ “mission was in support of ongoing counter-ISIS / counter-terrorism operations in the region,” Parnell wrote on X. He also said authorities will not release the names of those killed until their families receive formal notice.
Attacker killed by partner forces
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth later confirmed that partner forces killed the ISIS attacker. “Let it be known, if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you,” Hegseth wrote on X.
The savage who perpetrated this attack was killed by partner forces.
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) December 13, 2025
Let it be known, if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you. https://t.co/P7D9NrWpAL
Trump repeats warning online
After speaking to reporters, Trump shared another message on social media. He described the ambush as “an ISIS attack against the US and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by them,”
He also said Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa “is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack.” Trump ended his post with a clear message. “There will be very serious retaliation,”
Syria condemns the attack
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani condemned the attack on Saturday. He offered condolences to the victims and support to the injured. “We extend our condolences to the victims’ families and to the US government and people, and we wish the wounded a speedy recovery,” he wrote on X.
Attack follows Syria joining coalition
The attack came just one month after Syria joined the US-led coalition formed in 2014. Several countries take part in this coalition. It continues military operations against ISIS in Syria and Iraq.
The incident shows that ISIS remains a threat despite renewed cooperation between the US and Syria.