US Army names 2 Iowa National Guard members killed in attack in Syria

Two Iowa National Guard Members Killed in Syria Attack Blamed on Islamic State

Two Iowa National Guard members were killed in an attack in Syria over the weekend that U.S. officials have attributed to the Islamic State group. The U.S. Army identified the fallen soldiers as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds ordered all flags in the state to be flown at half-staff to honor the soldiers. “We are grateful for their service and deeply mourn their loss,” Reynolds said in a statement.

A U.S. civilian working as an interpreter also died in the attack, according to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell. Three additional Guard members were wounded, with two in stable condition and one in good condition, the Iowa National Guard confirmed Monday.

The incident occurred near the historic city of Palmyra in the Syrian desert. According to Syrian Interior Ministry spokesperson Nour al-Din al-Baba, the assailant had joined Syria’s internal security forces as a base security guard just two months ago. He had recently been reassigned due to suspicions of IS affiliation.

The attack unfolded when the gunman stormed a meeting between U.S. and Syrian security officials during a lunch gathering. After clashing with Syrian guards, he opened fire, killing the Americans and injuring several Syrian security personnel before being killed himself.

“This was a major security breach,” al-Baba acknowledged, while noting that “in the year since Assad’s fall, there have been many more successes than failures” by Syrian security forces.

The attack represents a significant test for the improving relationship between the United States and Syria following the ouster of former dictator Bashar Assad approximately one year ago. The U.S. military has been expanding its cooperation with Syrian security forces, with hundreds of American troops deployed in eastern Syria as part of the ongoing coalition effort against Islamic State.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed his condolences on social media: “Our hearts go out to their families, and we lift them up in prayer for strength and comfort during this time of grief. The United States of America will avenge these fallen Americans with overwhelming force.”

President Trump reiterated his promise of retaliation, telling reporters at the White House on Monday that IS would “be hit hard.” He also expressed support for Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who led the uprising that toppled Assad’s regime.

“This had nothing to do with him,” Trump said of al-Sharaa. “This is a part of Syria that they really don’t have much control over. And it was a surprise. He feels very badly about it. He’s working on it. He’s a strong man.” Trump had welcomed al-Sharaa to the White House for a historic meeting last month.

The fallen soldiers were remembered as “cherished members” of the Iowa National Guard family by Stephen Osborn, adjutant general. “Our focus now is providing unwavering support to their families through this unimaginable time and ensuring the legacy of these two heroes is never forgotten,” Osborn stated.

Luis Corona, a longtime friend of Torres-Tovar since middle school, recalled his comrade’s selflessness and role as a mentor to younger soldiers. “I was very nervous, very new to the Army. I didn’t know what to expect. And just to see Edgar there, it was a big relief, a huge weight off my shoulders,” Corona told The Associated Press, describing their reunion in the same National Guard unit after initial training.

Corona learned of his friend’s death while reading the news, shouting “No!” in what he described as an expression of “disbelief, shock, sadness, anger, just every form of distraught you can think of.”

Howard, the other fallen soldier, had aspired to military service since childhood, according to his stepfather Jeffrey Bunn, who serves as chief of the Meskwaki Nation Police Department in Tama, Iowa. Bunn described Howard as a soldier who “loved what he was doing and would be the first in and last out,” as well as a devoted husband and “amazing man of faith.”

Howard, inspired by his grandfather’s service, had hoped to serve for 20 years and had already completed over 11 years of military service at the time of his death. His younger brother, a staff sergeant also in the Iowa National Guard, will escort his remains back to Iowa.

The Army has stated that the incident remains under investigation as the administration prepares its response to this latest attack by suspected Islamic State militants.