(NEW YORK) -- Two U.S. soldiers and one civilian U.S. interpreter were killed in Syria Saturday after they were ambushed by a likely ISIS gunman, U.S. officials said.
The gunman was killed by "partner forces" during a skirmish, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Three other service members were injured during the incident in Palmyra, Syria, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement. Two U.S. officials told ABC News the wounded were American.
"The attack occurred as the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement. Their mission was in support of on-going counter-ISIS / counter-terrorism operations in the region," Parnell said in a statement.
This marked the first combat deaths since President Donald Trump returned to the Oval Office.
A person familiar with the shooting said early indications are that the shooter had at one point been affiliated with the Syrian security forces but was not currently active.
The shooter attacked the U.S. and Syrian personnel from a distance at an adjacent building and was not part of the meeting taking place, the person said.
In a post on X, U.S. Central Command describes the shooter as a "lone ISIS gunman."
Trump took to social media Saturday to express his condolences for the fallen soldiers, and condemn the attack.