Two U.S. Soldiers, One American Civilian Killed in Syria ISIS Ambush/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A deadly ISIS ambush in central Syria has killed two U.S. service members and one American civilian, U.S. Central Command confirmed Saturday. The attack, near Palmyra, also left three others wounded. It marks the first American casualties in Syria since President Bashar Assad’s fall last year.
Syria Conflict Quick Looks
- ISIS militants ambushed U.S. and Syrian troops in central Syria.
- Two U.S. service members and one American civilian were killed.
- Three others — including Syrian personnel — were injured.
- The ambush took place near the ancient city of Palmyra.
- Victims were airlifted to the Al-Tanf U.S. base near the Iraq-Jordan border.
- ISIS sleeper cells continue attacks despite their 2019 defeat.
- U.S. forces have maintained a presence in Syria for anti-ISIS operations.
- This is the deadliest U.S. incident in Syria since 2019’s Manbij blast.
- Syria recently joined anti-ISIS coalition post-Assad’s fall.
- U.S.-Syria diplomatic ties have cautiously warmed under interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa.
Deep Look: U.S. Confirms Deadly ISIS Ambush Killed Three Americans in Syria
DAMASCUS, Syria — Dec. 13, 2025 — In one of the deadliest attacks on American forces in Syria in years, two U.S. service members and one American civilian contractor were killed during an Islamic State (ISIS) ambush near Palmyra on Saturday, according to a statement by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
The group, still active through underground sleeper cells, opened fire as American and Syrian security forces were conducting a joint visit to the historically significant area in central Syria. The assault also left three others wounded, including members of the Syrian security forces and U.S. personnel.
Immediate Response
According to SANA, Syria’s state news agency, U.S. helicopters evacuated the wounded to the nearby Al-Tanf military garrison, a longstanding American base near the strategic tri-border area between Syria, Iraq, and Jordan. Syrian officials said the assailant — believed to be a former member of Syria’s security forces turned ISIS operative — was killed during the attack.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, also reported that three Syrian security members were wounded alongside several American troops.
First U.S. Casualties Since Assad’s Fall
This attack marks the first U.S. combat-related deaths in Syria since the collapse of the Assad regime in 2024, a turning point in the country’s 14-year civil war. Assad’s ousting was followed by the rise of interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa, who has since taken steps to rebuild diplomatic relations with the West — including a historic visit to Washington to meet President Donald Trump.
While ISIS was declared territorially defeated in 2019, the group has continued launching insurgent-style attacks throughout Syria and Iraq. According to United Nations intelligence estimates, ISIS still maintains between 5,000 to 7,000 fighters scattered across both countries.
Continued U.S. Military Presence in Syria
U.S. forces have maintained a limited but strategic presence across eastern and central Syria since 2014 as part of the international coalition to defeat ISIS. The Al-Tanf base, in particular, has been central to U.S. efforts to train and assist anti-ISIS local militias and monitor Iranian-backed militias transiting through Syria.
Despite several calls for withdrawal, Pentagon officials have repeatedly emphasized the importance of staying the course in Syria to prevent an ISIS resurgence.
Saturday’s attack raises fresh concerns about the safety of U.S. personnel operating in the region, especially amid fragile efforts to stabilize the country post-Assad.
Background on ISIS Attacks on U.S. Forces
This is not the first time American personnel have come under fire in Syria. One of the deadliest attacks in recent memory occurred in 2019 in the northern town of Manbij, where a suicide bomber killed two U.S. service members, two American contractors, and multiple Syrian allies.
The latest ambush in Palmyra serves as a stark reminder that, even with improved governance and international alliances, ISIS remains a potent threat capable of targeting U.S. forces directly.
Official Statements and Next Steps
CENTCOM released a brief statement confirming the casualties and emphasizing that the names of the fallen will be withheld until 24 hours after next-of-kin notifications, per Department of Defense policy.
A senior defense official speaking anonymously to the Associated Press said a full investigation is underway and that intelligence agencies are assessing whether insider threats played a role in the attack.
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