As RedState wrote earlier on Saturday, American military members and Syrian counterparts came under fire in Syria, with indications early on that serious injuries had taken place.
Indeed, later in a breaking update on the story, we learned the sad news that two U.S. Army soldiers, along with an interpreter, were slain in the attack, and that three others were injured. The news was confirmed by a Pentagon spokesperson.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth responded to the tragic news on his X account, vowing to bring to justice anyone who harms Americans “anywhere in the world”:
The savage who perpetrated this attack was killed by partner forces.
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.
READ MORE: Breaking: 2 US Army Troops Killed, 3 Injured During Joint Mission in Syria; DOW Sec Hegseth Reacts
Now, the president has reacted to the news. President Trump spoke to a gaggle of reporters as he headed to the Army-Navy college football game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD, on Saturday afternoon:
NEW: President Trump vows to retaliate against ISIS after two U.S. soldiers and U.S. interpreter were killed in an ambush in Syria. Three others were also injured.
“This was an ISIS attack on us and Syria. And again, we mourn the loss and we pray for them and their parents and… pic.twitter.com/IPvZMYko9Y
— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 13, 2025
Trump started by expressing condolences for those who were killed in what he termed “an ambush”:
We mourn the loss of three great patriots in Syria. We know how it happened. It was an ambush — terrible
He also spoke about the report of three troops wounded in the fatal incident.
“We also have three wounded that seem to be doing pretty well,” Pres. Trump said “But we mourn the loss, these are three great people. And it’s just a terrible thing.”
“Syria, by the way, was fighting along with us,” he continued. “The new president of Syria [Ahmed al-Sharaa] told me…he’s devastated by it, by what happened.”
The president did not mince words about the next steps, stating that the attack on both nations was by ISIS, and the U.S. “will retaliate,” as SecWar Hegseth hinted in his statement.
Showing that not everything has to be politicized by those on the other side of the aisle, PA Democrat Sen. John Fetterman shared this respectful and righteously angry message on his X account:
Serving our nation is dangerous.
These cowardly perpetrators must be held fully accountable.
My sincere and deepest condolences to the families of these soldiers. https://t.co/zz113F5y0q
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) December 13, 2025
As President Trump said in his remarks, “Again, we mourn the loss and we pray for them and their parents and their loved ones. Very, very sad.” I’ll add my prayers, too, and encourage readers to keep the families in their thoughts over the coming difficult hours and days.
This is a developing story. RedState will provide updates as warranted.
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