Two American Soldiers, Civilian K!lled In ISIS ∆mbush In Syria

Two American Soldiers, Civilian Killed In ISIS Ambush In Syria

The attacker was “engaged and killed” during the assault, CENTCOM confirmed, but provided few details on the location or the identities of the victims, citing Pentagon policy.

Three United States military and civilian personnel were killed and three others wounded after a lone ISIS gunman ambushed them in Syria, the US Central Command said Saturday in a statement.

The attacker was “engaged and killed” during the assault, CENTCOM confirmed, but provided few details on the location or the identities of the victims, citing Pentagon policy.

The statement shared on X handle, partly read, “On December 13, two US service members and one US civilian were killed, and three service members were injured, as a result of an ambush by a lone ISIS gunman in Syria. The gunman was engaged and killed.

“As a matter of respect for the families and in accordance with Department of War policy, the identities of the service members will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified.

“Updates will be provided as they become available.”

https://x.com/i/status/1999883271035822281

Local Syrian media reported the attack took place near the ancient desert city of Palmyra, where a joint patrol involving US troops came under fire. At least two Syrian government soldiers were also injured.

In the aftermath, traffic on the strategic Damascus–Deir ez-Zor highway was briefly shut down as security forces sealed off the area. Videos circulating online appeared to show US military aircraft flying low over the region following the attack.

Syria’s Interior Ministry claimed it had warned the US-led coalition in advance of a possible ISIS attack.

Ministry spokesman Anwar al-Baba said intelligence about “potential IS infiltration” was shared but ignored by coalition “partner forces.”

ISIS remnants continue to stage sporadic attacks in central and eastern Syria, despite the group’s territorial defeat in 2019.