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Army Identifies Two Iowa Guard Soldiers Killed in ISIS Ambush in Syria

Syrian officials say the gunman served in their security forces, with U.S. leaders pledging accountability.

Overview

  • The Army named Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torrestovar, 25, both of the Iowa National Guard’s 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, as the fallen.
  • A U.S. civilian interpreter also died and three Iowa Guard members were wounded; two were evacuated to a Jordanian military hospital and are stable, officials said.
  • The soldiers were in Palmyra for a key leader engagement when a lone ISIS gunman opened fire; U.S. and Syrian partner forces killed the attacker.
  • Syria’s Interior Ministry reported detaining suspects and said the shooter had recently served as a security guard and was reassigned over suspected ISIS ties.
  • The incident is under investigation, with President Trump vowing retaliation and Iowa ordering flags at half-staff to honor the soldiers.