ISIS Gunman Ambushes and Kills Two U.S. Soldiers, American Interpreter Near Palmyra, Syria

An ambush near the Syrian desert town of Palmyra in Homs province on Dec. 13, 2025, killed two U.S. Army soldiers and an American civilian interpreter and wounded three others, U.S. officials said, prompting an active investigation and vows of retaliation.

“December 15, 2025 / 12:03 PM EST/ CBS News The Army on Monday identified the two American soldierswho were killed in Palmyra, Syria, over the weekend as Sgt”

CBS News

The Pentagon described the mission as a 'key leader engagement' supporting counter-ISIS and counter-terrorism operations, and CENTCOM characterized the attacker as a lone ISIS gunman who fired from a nearby building and was killed by partner forces.

CBS News

President Trump and U.S. officials vowed a response, while U.S. spokesmen withheld names pending next-of-kin notifications.

U.S. officials identified the fallen as members of an Iowa National Guard contingent, naming Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, and local and national outlets emphasized the human cost and community impact.

CNN, Fox News, and local reporting detailed the soldiers' service and family reactions, with Fox profiling one soldier's background and hometown ties.

CNN

State officials also confirmed the Iowa National Guard assignment for the unit supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, while the Pentagon continued to withhold some details pending notifications.

Accounts diverge over how and where the shooter struck.

“The excerpt quotes Schmidt saying the human cost of service is personal and real — the losses are families, coworkers and communities, not just headlines”

Fox News

U.S. officials described the attack as occurring while troops were meeting with local partners or providing security outside, and said they were fired upon from a nearby building.

Syrian sources say the attacker had been embedded in or recently recruited into Syrian security units and either infiltrated a meeting or attacked a joint patrol.

Several sources report that Syrian security forces returned fire and killed the attacker, and that Syrian authorities had warned coalition partners beforehand about risks of Islamic State infiltration.

The attack triggered immediate operational and political responses.

Syrian authorities reported arrests and launched a joint security campaign to hunt ISIS sleeper cells across the desert.

Harici

President Trump promised "very serious retaliation," and U.S. politicians and diplomats responded with calls ranging from retaliation to withdrawal.

Press TV highlighted Senator Rand Paul's renewed calls for full U.S. troop withdrawal from Syria, arguing the U.S. presence acts as a "trip wire."

Türkiye Today quoted the U.S. envoy promising the attack "will not be left unanswered."

Harici and regional outlets described follow-on sweeps by Syrian and HTS-backed units and arrests of suspects.

Significant factual uncertainties remain.

“Syria has arrested five people suspected of having links to the shooting of U”

Hawaii Tribune-Herald

Sources disagree on whether the attacker was an external ISIS operative or a Syrian security member with extremist sympathies.

kurdistan24.net

They also disagree on whether the shooting occurred at a formal joint meeting or outside during security duties.

There is disagreement over the degree to which coalition warnings had been issued beforehand.

Multiple outlets report arrests and follow-up operations but emphasize that investigations are ongoing.

Readers should treat contested claims cautiously because reporting reflects differing national perspectives and official narratives.