ISIS Attack in Syria Kills Two U.S. Soldiers and Civilian Interpreter; President Trump Pledges Retaliation

Washington, D.C.; December 15th, 2025.

Two United States service members and one civilian interpreter were killed in Syria during an attack attributed by U.S. officials to THE ISLAMIC STATE OF IRAQ AND SYRIA, according to statements released by U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND and THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.

According to U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND, the attack occurred in central Syria during a meeting involving U.S. forces and partner personnel operating as part of ongoing counterterrorism operations. Several additional U.S. service members were wounded in the incident. THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE stated that the attacker was killed during or immediately following the assault.

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND said the attack was carried out by an individual assessed to be affiliated with ISIS, based on operational intelligence available at the time of the incident. THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE has not released further details regarding the attacker’s identity or the specific intelligence used in the assessment, citing operational security considerations.

President Donald Trump addressed the incident publicly, with remarks issued through THE WHITE HOUSE, stating that the United States would respond with what he described as “very serious retaliation.” In the statement, Trump characterized the attack as an act of terrorism targeting American personnel engaged in counter-ISIS operations and said those responsible would be held accountable.

U.S. forces have maintained a presence in Syria for years as part of efforts to disrupt ISIS networks and prevent the group’s reconstitution. THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE has repeatedly stated that while ISIS no longer controls large swaths of territory, the organization continues to operate through dispersed cells capable of carrying out lethal attacks.

Officials with THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE said investigations into the incident are ongoing and that additional information will be released when appropriate. No formal retaliation plan has been publicly announced, and THE WHITE HOUSE has not provided a timeline for potential military or other responses.

The deaths highlight the continued risks faced by U.S. personnel operating in areas where extremist organizations remain active. U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND reiterated that force protection and mission security remain top priorities as counterterrorism operations continue.

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Sources

Primary First-Hand Sources

• U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND, official statements regarding the attack and casualty confirmation
• THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, public statements on the incident and attribution to ISIS
• THE WHITE HOUSE, public remarks by President Donald Trum