President Donald Trump on Sunday vowed “big damage” in Syria after two U.S. service members and one American civilian were killed in an attack.
Speaking at a White House Christmas reception, Trump opened with condolences for victims of a violent weekend that included the Syria attack, a shooting at Brown University, and a deadly antisemitic attack in Australia.
“In Syria there will be a lot of damage done to the people that did it,” Trump said, adding that authorities “got the person” responsible but that “there’ll be big damage done.”
Trump stated the Syria attack killed “three great patriots” and emphasized it was carried out by ISIS, not the Syrian government.
“The Syrian government fought by our side. The new president fought by our side,” Trump said, framing the incident as a reminder that U.S. forces remain in harm’s way even as Washington works with partners to keep the Islamic State from resurging.
Syria’s Interior Ministry reported that the attacker targeted a convoy of American and Syrian forces near Palmyra on Saturday before being shot dead, and five suspects with alleged links to the incident were arrested in a coordinated security operation. The ministry described the attacker as a Syrian security force member suspected of sympathizing with ISIS.
U.S. Central Command confirmed three U.S. soldiers were wounded in the attack.
Trump also referenced violence closer to home, citing “Brown University: nine injured and two killed,” adding that investigators had apprehended a “person of interest.”
Authorities in Rhode Island detained a person of interest following the Brown University shooting.
In Australia, at least 11 people were killed Sunday in an attack on a Hanukkah celebration at a popular Sydney beach. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese quickly labeled the incident an act of antisemitic terrorism.
Antisemitism has been rising in Australia, partly fueled by Israel’s war in Gaza, as local Jewish groups have criticized the lack of support from authorities.
“We’re here to celebrate Christmas and to celebrate,” Trump said. “I think today we can say very loudly we celebrate Hanukkah because that was such a horrible attack.”
