POLITICS

Two U.S. troops killed in Palmyra; Trump vows retaliation

PUBLISHED Dec 13, 2025, 4:44 PM ET

Read, Watch or Listen

Two U.S. troops killed in Palmyra; Trump vows retaliation

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 11

Center 82%

Right 18%

Sources: 11

Palmyra, Syria — Two U.S. Army soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed on Dec. 13 when a lone ISIS gunman opened fire on a joint U.S.-Syrian patrol before being engaged and killed, U.S. Central Command said. Three other service members were wounded. The Pentagon withheld identities pending family notification; the Army later named two Iowa National Guard soldiers. President Donald Trump vowed "very serious retaliation" on his social media platform and at the White House. Syrian authorities reported arrests and described the attacker as linked to ISIS. Additional updates are expected imminently. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

By Daniel Hayes | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

About a month earlier: Syria announced a cooperation agreement with the U.S.-led coalition.
Dec. 10: Syrian sources cited an evaluation that flagged extremist beliefs tied to the eventual attacker.
Dec. 13: Lone gunman ambushed a joint U.S.-Syrian patrol in Palmyra; two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed; three wounded.
Dec. 13–14: CENTCOM and Pentagon confirmed attacker was engaged and killed; President Trump vowed serious retaliation publicly.
Following the weekend: Syrian authorities reported arrests; U.S. Army later released the names of the two soldiers.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 11
Right Leaning:: 2
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 9

Who Benefited

U.S. and Syrian security forces may gain operational and political justification to expand counter-ISIS operations following the attack and ensuing statements by U.S. and Syrian officials.

Who Impacted

The families of the two slain U.S. soldiers and the civilian interpreter, wounded service members, and local Syrian civilians near Palmyra suffered immediate human, emotional, and security consequences.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 11
Right Leaning:: 2
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 9
Distribution:: Left 0%, Center 82%, Right 18%

Who Benefited

U.S. and Syrian security forces may gain operational and political justification to expand counter-ISIS operations following the attack and ensuing statements by U.S. and Syrian officials.

Who Impacted