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On the afternoon of Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, American blood was spilled again in the sands of Syria when a lone gunman ambushed U.S. troops near Palmyra, killing two U.S. soldiers and an American civilian interpreter. The country mourns these patriots, and their deaths are a stark reminder that the terrorist threat we thought defeated remains lethal and determined. Americans deserve the truth about who attacked our troops and why, and they deserve a president who answers in strength, not empty words.
Reports make clear this was not a random roadside incident but a brazen ISIS-linked ambush during a key leader engagement meant to coordinate counterterrorism efforts in a dangerous pocket of Syria. The shooter reportedly wore a Syrian security uniform and had ties to ISIS, exploiting chaos and our enemies’ willingness to mix in with local forces to strike at American lives. This tactic—the infiltration of partnered forces—means we cannot afford naïveté or middle-of-the-road responses when our soldiers are sitting ducks.
We now know the fallen troops were members of the Iowa National Guard, a reminder that citizen-soldiers from small towns across America carry the fight abroad so the rest of us can sleep safely at home. Three other soldiers were wounded and flown to the al-Tanf garrison for care, while the attacker was neutralized by partner forces in the aftermath. Families are grieving, communities are stunned, and the nation should rally to the side of these heroes instead of letting partisan politics cheapen their sacrifice.
President Trump did what a commander-in-chief must do: he publicly vowed “very serious retaliation” and made clear the United States would not let this atrocity stand unanswered. His words were a welcome departure from the wishy-washy postures we’ve seen from other administrations that somehow hoped terror would evaporate through diplomacy alone. Strong words must now be paired with decisive action to dismantle the terror networks that still plot our soldiers’ deaths.
The Pentagon’s near-term steps, including a show of force over the area and promises to hunt those responsible, are the kind of immediate, calibrated responses that protect troops and deter future attacks. But show-of-force flyovers and statements are only the beginning; a sustained campaign to root out ISIS cells, cut their funding, and deny them safe havens is what real deterrence looks like. If Washington truly values American lives, it will empower the military with the resources and political backing to finish the job.
Make no mistake: this is also a test for the American people and our institutions. Will Congress and the media demand clarity and accountability, or will they pivot to partisan finger-pointing while our troops pay the price? Conservatives must lead the chorus calling for justice for the fallen, support for the wounded, and an unwavering commitment to victory over Islamic terrorism wherever it hides.
To the families of the slain and to every honest, hardworking American watching tonight — your grief is shared by a grateful nation, and your fury is righteous. Stand with the troops, demand action from your leaders, and never accept an America that shrinks from defending its sons and daughters overseas. Our republic was founded so free men could live in safety; we cannot let the cowardly killers of ISIS erode that legacy.
