Damascus: Two US troops and a civilian were killed, and three other service members were injured in an ambush by an ISIS gunman in Syria, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported. The attack underscores the ongoing threat posed by ISIS in the region.

According to Anadolu Agency, the incident occurred on December 13 when a lone ISIS gunman attacked at the entrance of a security headquarters in the Palmyra desert area. The gunman was engaged and neutralized by the forces present. A statement from CENTCOM confirmed the casualties, noting that the civilian killed was a US interpreter.

Syrian Interior Ministry spokesperson Nour al-Din al-Baba stated on state-run TV channel Alikhbaria that prior warnings had been issued to international coalition forces about potential ISIS breaches in the Badiya region, but these were not acted upon. The attacker's connections to ISIS are still under investigation, although it is confirmed that he had no ties within the internal security forces.

US Special Envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, condemned the attack as a "cowardly terrorist ambush" and extended condolences to the families of the victims. He emphasized the US commitment to defeating terrorism in collaboration with Syrian partners and highlighted the continued presence of US forces in Syria to prevent an ISIS resurgence.

US forces remain part of an international coalition against ISIS, initially formed in 2014. Syria joined this coalition on November 12, 2025, following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024. Since then, Syria's new administration has been focused on restoring security across the nation.

The US and Syrian officials have both reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism in Syria. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the families of the victims and the US government. He reiterated Syria's dedication to identifying and holding those responsible accountable.