U.S. Troops Killed in Syria Amid Ongoing Conflict

Two Iowa National Guard soldiers, Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, were killed in a shooting attack in Palmyra, Syria, according to the Iowa National Guard. The attack, attributed to a lone gunman linked to the Islamic State, also resulted in the death of an American civilian interpreter, Ayad Sakat, and injuries to three other Iowa National Guard members.

The soldiers were part of a deployment that included approximately 1,800 troops from Iowa, with about 250 stationed in Syria as part of counterterrorism efforts against ISIS. The attack occurred during a meeting between U.S. and Syrian security officials, highlighting ongoing security challenges in the region.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and former President Trump both vowed retaliation against those responsible for the attack, with Trump emphasizing the need to continue U.S. troop presence in Syria to maintain stability.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of the fallen soldiers, who were remembered as dedicated and selfless individuals committed to their service.