Two US service members and a civilian interpreter were killed in central Syria on Saturday after a lone gunman, believed to be affiliated with ISIS, opened fire at the gate of a military post near historic Palmyra. Three other US troops and members of Syrian security forces were also injured in the ambush.

US President Donald Trump vowed a “very serious retaliation” in response to the attack. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, he said, “We mourn the loss of three Great American Patriots in Syria, two soldiers, and one Civilian Interpreter. Likewise, we pray for the three injured soldiers who, it has just been confirmed, are doing well.”

Trump described the attack as “an ISIS attack against the US, and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by them.” He added that he had spoken with Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who expressed anger over the incident and pledged support from Syrian armed forces in any US response.

The US Central Command confirmed that the gunman responsible for the attack was killed at the scene. Syrian officials reported that members of the Syrian security forces were among those wounded. The casualties were evacuated by helicopter to the al-Tanf garrison near the Iraq-Jordan border for treatment.

Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, where the soldiers were stationed as members of the Iowa National Guard, expressed her condolences, noting the critical mission they had been carrying out in Syria. “Our Iowa National Guard family is hurting as we mourn the loss of two of our own and pray for the recovery of the three soldiers wounded,” Ernst said. She emphasized that the mission aimed at “combatting the threat of ISIS” and safeguarding the United States from radical Islamic terror.

Ernst also voiced support for Trump’s position, writing that any attack on US forces at home or abroad should be met with the full strength of the military. “This tragic attack is a reminder that freedom is not free and that every American owes an enormous debt of gratitude to our brave men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line every day,” she said.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds confirmed that the names of the deceased soldiers would be withheld until 24 hours after next-of-kin notifications were completed. “Our hearts are heavy today, and our prayers and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of our soldiers killed in action,” she said.

The attack marks the first US fatality in Syria since the fall of longtime President Bashar al-Assad a year ago. Syrian state media reported that the shooting occurred near Palmyra and caused injuries to two Syrian security personnel and several US service members.

The incident underscores ongoing risks faced by US and allied forces in volatile areas of Syria, where ISIS and other militant groups remain active despite international counterterrorism efforts.

Polish authorities have detained more than 130 migrants after they illegally entered the country through a tunnel under the border with Belarus, with searches ongoing for others still at large.

The migrants were detected after emerging from a tunnel dug beneath a dam near Narewka in the Podlasie region. Polish Border Guard officials said the tunnel stretched nearly 100 metres and stood around 1.5 metres high. Its entrance on the Belarusian side was concealed in a forest approximately 50 metres from the border, while the exit was just 10 metres inside Poland.

Border officials credited integrated electronic monitoring systems for quickly locating the migrants. Soldiers, police officers, and tracking dogs joined the operation, allowing authorities to apprehend most of the group soon after they crossed.

The majority of those detained were Afghan and Pakistani nationals, although officials said the group also included citizens of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Two suspected smugglers were arrested during the operation: a 69-year-old Polish man and a 49-year-old Lithuanian. Both are believed to have been transporting migrants toward western Europe. Investigations into the smuggling network are ongoing.

This is the fourth tunnel discovered this year by officers from the Podlasie Branch of the Border Guard, highlighting continued attempts to circumvent border controls. Officials stressed that a combination of electronic surveillance and physical safeguards made it possible to respond rapidly to these breaches.

Polish authorities have maintained a high level of vigilance along the country’s eastern border, which has seen increasing attempts at illegal crossings in recent years. The use of tunnels represents a growing trend in sophisticated smuggling operations, challenging border security forces to adapt quickly.

The Podlasie region has been a focal point for migrant crossings due to its proximity to Belarus. In previous incidents, authorities discovered similar tunnels, indicating organized efforts by human traffickers to facilitate illegal entry into the European Union.

Border Guard officials reiterated that their rapid response and cooperation with other security forces were crucial in preventing a larger number of migrants from entering undetected. The ongoing search operation aims to locate any remaining individuals who may have escaped initial detection.

Authorities continue to monitor the area and strengthen measures to prevent future illegal crossings. The discovery of the tunnel and the apprehension of the migrants and alleged smugglers underscore the challenges faced by Poland and other EU countries in securing their borders amid ongoing regional migration pressures.

Three upcoming votes in the European Parliament could determine the future of the EU-Mercosur trade deal, potentially altering or even derailing what would be the European Union’s largest free trade agreement. The agreement, which took over two decades to negotiate and was finalized last year, requires approval from both EU member states and EU lawmakers to enter into force.

The first vote, scheduled for December’s plenary session, focuses on a bilateral safeguard clause for agricultural products. Proposed in October, the clause aims to protect EU farmers from an influx of cheaper South American goods. Known as the “reciprocity clause,” it would allow the EU to temporarily withdraw tariff preferences for products from Mercosur countries if they fail to meet EU standards for the environment, animal welfare, and production practices.

Belgian MEP Benoit Cassart, a supporter of the clause, said it ensures Mercosur countries establish supply chains that meet EU standards before accessing European markets. The vote on the full safeguard package is set for Tuesday, December 16, in Strasbourg.

If approved, the safeguards would still need agreement from EU member states. A special fast-track procedure could enable Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to travel to Brazil to sign the deal before the end of the year. However, the measure is contentious. Critics argue it could violate World Trade Organization rules and may be impractical to enforce, while some parliamentary amendments might push for removal of the clause.

Support for the clause in the Parliament’s international trade committee (INTA) was narrowly secured by a single vote, with the European People’s Party, Socialists and Democrats, and much of Renew Europe voting against it. Some MEPs representing rural constituencies may support the clause politically, even if they expect it to be rejected later in negotiations with the Council.

Italy’s position remains crucial, as Belgium intends to abstain. Italian backing may be needed to achieve the qualified majority required for approval. Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida stressed the importance of ensuring imported products comply with EU environmental and labour standards.

Even if von der Leyen signs a provisional agreement with Mercosur leaders, two additional parliamentary votes in early 2026 could still stall the deal. One will address a legal challenge to the deal submitted by 145 leftist lawmakers, who argue the Commission improperly split the agreement to bypass national parliamentary approval. The second will concern the deal’s final ratification, which is expected to be a closer contest.

Parliamentary sources suggest that while party positions provide guidance, many MEPs may vote based on their national governments’ interests. The outcome of these votes will play a decisive role in shaping the EU-Mercosur trade deal and its potential impact on agriculture, trade, and international relations between Europe and South America.