U.S. Troops Killed in IS Ambush Near Palmyra, First Casualties Since Assad’s Fall

Two U.S. service members and a civilian were killed in an IS ambush near Palmyra, the first U.S. casualties in Syria since Assad’s fall. The attacker was killed.

The Ambush

On Saturday, a lone member of the Islamic State group opened fire on a U.S. convoy near historic Palmyra in central Syria. The attack resulted in the deaths of two U.S. service members and one American civilian, with three additional people wounded. According to the U.S. military’s Central Command, the identities of the fallen service members will not be released until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified, in line with Department of Defense policy.

Central Command also confirmed that the casualties were transported by helicopter to the al‑Tanf garrison, which sits on the border with Iraq and Jordan. The convoy had been conducting routine patrol duties at the time of the ambush.

Official Reactions

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth took to X to condemn the attack, stating: “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.” His statement underscores the U.S. government’s stance on protecting its personnel abroad.

Syrian State and Human Rights Reports

The state‑run SANA news agency reported that the attacker was killed, but did not provide further details. In contrast, the Britain‑based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights identified the assailant as a member of the Syrian security force. These conflicting reports highlight the difficulty of obtaining reliable information in the region.

U.S. Presence in Syria

The United States maintains hundreds of troops in eastern Syria as part of a coalition fighting the Islamic State group. The presence has been a key component of the broader campaign to train and support local forces. Al‑Tanf, located in the central province of Homs, serves as a strategic hub for these operations.

This ambush marks the first time U.S. service members have been killed in Syria since the fall of President Bashar Assad a year ago. The incident underscores the ongoing threat posed by IS sleeper cells, which the United Nations estimates still number between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters across Syria and Iraq.

Syria’s Changing Role

Last month, Syria joined the international coalition fighting against IS as Damascus improved its relations with Western countries following the ouster of Assad when insurgents captured his seat of power in Damascus. Although the United States had no diplomatic relations with Syria under Assad, ties have warmed since the five‑decade Assad family rule ended. Interim president Ahmad al‑Sharaa made a historic visit to Washington last month, where he held talks with President Donald Trump.

Historical Context of U.S. Casualties

The U.S. has faced targeted attacks in Syria before. One of the deadliest incidents occurred in 2019 in the northern town of Manbij, where a blast killed two U.S. service members and two American civilians, as well as several Syrians, while the convoy was conducting a patrol.

Key Takeaways

• Two U.S. service members and a civilian were killed in an IS ambush near Palmyra.
• The attacker was killed and casualties were air‑lifted to al‑Tanf garrison.
• This is the first U.S. casualty in Syria since the fall of Assad.

The ambush serves as a stark reminder that the threat from IS remains active in Syria, even as diplomatic and military engagements continue to evolve. The U.S. military’s swift response and the statements from senior officials reflect the ongoing commitment to protecting American personnel in conflict zones worldwide.