President Trump vows retaliation after three Americans, including two service members and a civilian interpreter, are killed in a Syrian ambush. The attack, attributed to the Islamic State group, occurred in a region of Syria not fully controlled by ISIS. Trump's response on Truth Social promises 'very serious retaliation', with Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell emphasizing the targeting of American citizens anywhere in the world. The incident marks the first fatality for US troops in Syria since the fall of President Bashar Assad a year ago. The attack took place near Palmyra, with casualties transported by helicopter to the al-Tanf garrison. Syrian authorities are investigating whether the attacker was a member of the Syrian security force or an IS member with extreme ideology. The US has hundreds of troops in eastern Syria as part of the coalition against ISIS. Despite no diplomatic relations under Assad, ties have improved since the Assad family's ouster, with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to Washington and talks with Trump. Al-Sharaa, once tied to al-Qaida, led the rebel forces that toppled Assad and is now the country's interim leader. Syria joined the international coalition against ISIS last month, marking a shift in relations with Western countries. The US has lifted sanctions imposed during the Assad era, and the UN estimates ISIS still has 5,000-7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
