Trump vows retaliation after U.S. troops killed in Syria attack

President Donald Trump has vowed a U.S. response after two American service members and a U.S. civilian interpreter were killed in a suspected ISIS attack on U.S. forces in central Syria.

(CNN)- President Donald Trump has vowed a U.S. response after two American service members and a U.S. civilian interpreter were killed in a suspected ISIS attack on U.S. forces in central Syria.

The attack happened Saturday afternoon during a joint patrol involving U.S. and Syrian forces. Speaking to reporters at the White House later that day, Trump said the United States would retaliate. He reinforced that message shortly afterward on social media, writing, “There will be very serious retaliation.”

Trump blamed ISIS for the ambush, though the militant group has not yet claimed responsibility.

A spokesperson for Syria’s Interior Ministry said Syrian forces had warned U.S. officials ahead of time that ISIS was planning an attack on American troops operating in the area. The patrol was part of ongoing joint operations as the U.S. continues its mission against ISIS in the region.

The United States has maintained a military presence in Syria for years as part of the international coalition to defeat ISIS. Syria formally joined that coalition just one month ago under its new leadership, headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa. Trump has publicly welcomed the new government and pointed to growing cooperation between U.S. and Syrian security forces while vowing a response to the attack.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said the two U.S. service members killed were part of the Iowa National Guard. About 1,800 Guard members were deployed earlier this year to Syria and other parts of the region.

Trump has not detailed what the U.S. response will involve or when it will occur, saying only that action is coming.