News|Syria's WarISIL kills two US soldiers, interpreter in Syria’s Palmyra, Pentagon saysUS Central Command says lone gunman was ‘engaged and killed’ after launching attack in central Syria.
On Sat, Dec 9, 2025, two US service members and one American civilian interpreter were killed, and three others were wounded in an ambush by the ISIL group in central Syria, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM).
On Sat, Dec 9, 2025, two US service members and one American civilian interpreter were killed, and three others were wounded in an ambush by the ISIL group in central Syria, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM).
CENTCOM reported that the attack took place during a joint patrol near Palmyra in Syria’s central Homs region. A lone ISIL gunman was engaged and killed. In accordance with Pentagon policy, the identities of the service members will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed that the perpetrator was "killed by partner forces." A Syrian interior ministry spokesperson stated that the attacker was not a leader within the Syrian security forces.
CENTCOM reported that the attack took place during a joint patrol near Palmyra in Syria’s central Homs region.
Traffic on the Deir Az Zor–Damascus highway was temporarily halted as military aircraft conducted overflights in the area. US helicopters evacuated the wounded to the al-Tanf base near the Iraqi border.
The US maintains troops in northeastern Syria to support a Kurdish-led force in combating ISIL. Although ISIL was defeated in Syria in 2018, it continues to conduct sporadic attacks. The nation is still dealing with security and economic challenges following the removal of Bashar al-Assad and the aftermath of a prolonged civil war.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
