US President Donald Trump has vowed “very serious retaliation” following a deadly attack at a US military base in central Syria, where two American service members and a civilian interpreter were killed by a lone gunman believed to be affiliated with ISIS.
According to US officials, the attacker opened fire at the entrance of a military post near the historic city of Palmyra, injuring three additional US soldiers as well as members of Syrian security forces. The assailant was killed at the scene, the US Central Command confirmed.
Trump: “An ISIS Attack Against the United States”
In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, President Trump described the incident as a direct ISIS attack on US forces, emphasizing the strategic volatility of the region.
“We mourn the loss of three Great American Patriots in Syria — two soldiers and one civilian interpreter,” Trump wrote.
“This was an ISIS attack against the US and Syria, in a very dangerous area that is not fully controlled.”
Trump added that the three wounded US soldiers are in stable condition, according to military updates.
Coordination With Syria’s Interim Leadership
Trump said he has been in direct contact with Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who reportedly condemned the attack and pledged cooperation with any US response.
“The President of Syria is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack,” Trump stated.
“There will be very serious retaliation.”
Syrian authorities confirmed that members of their own security forces were also injured during the shooting.
Iowa National Guard Among the Fallen
Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa confirmed that the two slain US soldiers were members of the Iowa National Guard, underscoring the personal and political impact of the attack.
“Our Iowa National Guard family is hurting,” Ernst wrote on X.
“They were deployed to combat ISIS and protect Americans from radical Islamic terror.”
Ernst expressed full support for Trump’s stance, stating that any attack on US forces should be met with decisive military force.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds also issued a statement, saying the names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
First Fatal Attack Since Assad’s Fall
The shooting marks the first deadly attack on US forces in Syria since the fall of longtime President Bashar al-Assad one year ago, highlighting ongoing instability despite leadership changes.
The wounded were evacuated by helicopter to the al-Tanf garrison, located near Syria’s borders with Iraq and Jordan, according to regional security sources.
Renewed Focus on the ISIS Threat
The attack underscores ISIS’s continued operational capacity in parts of Syria, despite years of international military pressure and claims of territorial defeat.
Security analysts warn that the incident could prompt renewed US military operations, potentially reshaping the fragile security balance in the region.
