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

Tue Dec 16 2025 01:30:25 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Two Iowa National Guard members were identified as the casualties of a weekend attack in Syria, where they were part of a U.S. military operation against the Islamic State. The incident raises concerns about U.S.-Syria relations and security in the region.

Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, were killed in an assault attributed to the Islamic State in Syria. The attack, occurring during a meeting between U.S. and Syrian security personnel, has put a strain on the improving relations between the two nations. In total, three other guard members were injured, prompting a state-wide tribute in Iowa as Governor Kim Reynolds ordered flags to be flown at half-staff.

Two members of the Iowa National Guard were tragically killed in Syria over the weekend during an attack attributed to the Islamic State. The soldiers have been identified as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar from Des Moines and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard from Marshalltown.

In the aftermath of this devastating event, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff as a mark of respect and gratitude for their service. We are grateful for their service and deeply mourn their loss, she stated.

According to the Pentagon, the attack also resulted in the death of a civilian U.S. interpreter and injuries to three other Guard members, with two in stable condition and the other in good condition.

Details surrounding the attack reveal that it occurred during a meeting between U.S. and Syrian security officials in the vicinity of Palmyra. The assailant, who had recently joined Syria’s security forces, opened fire after clashing with Syrian guards.

This incident underscores the precarious nature of U.S.-Syria relations, which have seen some improvement following the ousting of President Bashar Assad. The U.S. military has been collaborating with Syrian forces to combat the Islamic State in the region, even as risks and tensions remain high. A thorough investigation into the incident is currently ongoing, with military officials speculating on the assailant's links to extremist factions.

President Trump has expressed intent to retaliate seriously for the attack, further complicating the current diplomatic landscape and the security environment in Syria.