An attack by an alleged Islamic State member in Syria has killed two U.S. service members and one American civilian.

The Iowa National Guard released the names of two US soldiers who were killed by an Islamic State member in Syria on December 13. In the aftermath of the attack, Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al Shaibani spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on December 14 and said the Syrian government would work with the US to degrade and destroy the Islamic State (IS).

The killing of three Americans during what was said to be a counterterrorism operation in central Syria served as a reminder that U.S. troops are still operating in the country.

Two U.S. service members and one American civilian interpreter were killed in an ambush in central Syria on Saturday, December 13, 2025, according to U.S. Central Command. Three additional service members were wounded in the attack,

Israel's military raids and strikes over the past year aiming to carve out a buffer zone in southern Syria have raised tensions, frustrated locals and also appear to have scuttled chances — despite U.

American forces have been stationed in Syria for years amid the civil war.

Assad's regime, Syrians also celebrate another coming milestone: the lifting of sanctions, which could help give the country a new start.

Israel appears to be signaling its intent to escalate its military and intelligence campaigns inside Syria, as its honeymoon phase with the new administration comes to an end.

Syria’s interim president on Saturday accused Israel of fighting “ghosts” and searching for enemies following the war in Gaza. President Ahmad al-Sharaa told an international conference that since he took power a year ago,

Syria's new government faces accusations of extremism as U.S. mediates complex negotiations between Damascus and Jerusalem authorities.