Iowa Guard Soldiers Killed in Syria Attack Blamed on ISIS

Two Iowa National Guard soldiers lost their lives in a weekend attack in Syria that the U.S. military attributes to the Islamic State group. The victims were identified on Monday as Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres‑Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown. Their deaths came during a shooting Saturday in the Syrian desert near the historic city of Palmyra, a scene that also wounded members of Syria’s security forces and a U.S. civilian interpreter. The incident has become a stark reminder of the fragile security situation that the United States and its allies face in eastern Syria, where hundreds of American troops are deployed as part of a coalition fighting the Islamic State.

The shooting took place in the desert near Palmyra, where the gunman had recently been reassigned from a base security guard position in Syria’s internal security forces. A Syrian official said the assailant was suspected of affiliation with the Islamic State, prompting the reassignment. Interior Ministry spokesperson Nour al‑Din al‑Baba described the event as a “major security breach” but noted that, in the year since Bashar Assad’s fall, security forces had achieved “many more successes than failures.” The gunman stormed a lunch meeting between U.S. and Syrian security officials, opened fire after clashing with Syrian guards, and was later killed.

Three other Guard members were wounded in the attack, with two reported in stable condition and the third in good condition, according to the Iowa National Guard. A U.S. civilian interpreter also lost his life, as stated by Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell. The Army announced that the incident is under investigation, and military officials, including President Donald Trump, have blamed the attack on an Islamic State member.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on social media Monday: “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.” Trump said over the weekend that “there will be very serious retaliation” for the attack and that Syrian President Ahmad al‑Sharaa was “devastated by what happened,” stressing that Syria was fighting alongside U.S. troops. Trump also welcomed al‑Sharaa, who led the insurgency that toppled Assad, to the White House for a historic meeting last month.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds ordered all flags in the state to fly at half‑staff in honor of the fallen soldiers. She added, “We are grateful for their service and deeply mourn their loss.”

Stephen Osborn, adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard, described Torres‑Tovar and Howard as dedicated soldiers and “cherished members” of the Guard family. He said, “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.”

Jeffrey Bunn, Howard’s stepfather and chief of the Meskwaki Nation Police Department in Tama, Iowa, recalled that Howard had wanted to be a soldier since childhood. Bunn wrote on the department’s Facebook page that Howard “loved what he was doing and would be the first in and last out.” He also called Howard a loving husband and an “amazing man of faith.” Bunn added that Howard’s younger brother, a staff sergeant in the Iowa National Guard, would escort “Nate” back to Iowa.

Howard was inspired by his grandfather’s service and aimed to serve for 20 years, according to an April post on a Facebook page dedicated to the unit’s stories. He had served for over 11 years. Torres‑Tovar was described by three fellow Guard members—David Hernandez, Freddy Sarceño, and Luis Corona—who were deployed with him as “very positive,” family oriented, and always putting others first.

Associated Press writers Abby Sewell in Beirut and Hannah Fingerhut in Des Moines, Iowa, contributed to the report.

• Two Iowa National Guard soldiers killed in a Syria attack blamed on Islamic State.

• Governor Reynolds ordered state flags at half‑staff; Pentagon confirmed interpreter death.

• President Trump vowed retaliation and praised cooperation with Syrian forces.

The attack underscores the risks faced by U.S. forces and their allies in Syria and highlights the personal sacrifices of soldiers like Torres‑Tovar and Howard, whose families and communities continue to seek support and remembrance.