Breaking news from Syria on Saturday highlights the continued risks facing U.S. forces operating in the region, even as American military involvement there often receives little public attention.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that two U.S. Army soldiers and one civilian U.S. interpreter were killed near Palmyra, Syria, during an operation supporting counter-ISIS efforts.
Today in Palmyra, Syria, two United States Army soldiers and one civilian U.S. interpreter were killed, and three were wounded.The attack occurred as the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement. Their mission was in support of on-going counter-ISIS / counter-terrorism operations in the region.The soldiers’ names, as well as identifying information about their units, are being withheld until 24 hours after the next of kin notification.This attack is currently under active investigation.
According to CNN, three additional U.S. personnel were wounded in the attack, which occurred during a joint patrol with Syrian partner forces in central Syria. Traffic on a major highway between Deir Ezzor and Damascus was halted as U.S. combat aircraft operated overhead in response to the incident.
CNN also reported that U.S. helicopters evacuated the wounded to the al-Tanf base near the Syrian-Iraqi border. The attacker was later killed by partner forces, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
“Let it be known, if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you,” Hegseth said.
The Department of Defense has not yet released additional operational details as the investigation remains ongoing.
UPDATE 12:32 PM: Comments from CENTOM:
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