Two Iowa soldiers killed in Syria

Saturday marked the first time in 12 months that an attack on U.S. troops resulted in casualties as two Iowa National Guardsmen and a civilian interpreter were killed in an ambush by the Islamic State group in central Syria.

Monday morning, the Iowa National Guard identified the two soldiers killed — Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, Grimes. Three other Iowan service members were also injured in the attack.

Two of the wounded soldiers required medical evacuation but are now in stable condition. The third was treated locally and is recovering.

“Today we honor the memory and sacrifice of Sgt. Howard and Sgt. Torres-Tovar by sharing their names with a grateful state and nation,” Adjunct General of the Iowa National Guard Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn said. “They were dedicated professionals and cherished members of our Guard family who represented the best Iowa. 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.”

Howard and Torres-Tovar were part of the 113th Cavalry Regiment based out of Johnston. This regiment is part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, known as the “Red Bulls.”

The news hits close to home for local families as men and women from Creston and other area towns are also deployed members of the Red Bulls. Other battalions with the 34th Infantry Division include those based out of Red Oak, Council Bluffs, Waterloo, Fort Dodge and Cedar Rapids.

In May, 1,800 Iowa guardsmen were sent overseas on deployment as a part of Operation Inherent Resolve. Saturday’s attack marks the first death of a member of the Iowa National Guard since 2011.

The ambush in the Syrian desert near the historic city of Palmyra also wounded members of the country’s security forces, and the gunman was killed. The assailant had joined Syria’s internal security forces as a base security guard two months ago and recently was reassigned amid suspicions that he might be affiliated with IS, a Syrian official said.

The man stormed a meeting between U.S. and Syrian security officials who were having lunch together and opened fire after clashing with Syrian guards, Interior Ministry spokesperson Nour al-Din al-Baba said Sunday.

Al-Baba acknowledged that it was “a major security breach” but said that in the year since Assad’s fall, “there have been many more successes than failures” by security forces.

The Army said Monday that the incident is under investigation. Military officials and President Donald Trump have blamed the attack on an IS member.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered the flags to be flown at half staff in honor of this sacrifice.

“Our hearts are heavy today, and our prayers and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of our soldiers killed in action,” Reynolds said. “I ask that all Iowans stand united in supporting them and lifting them up in prayer during this incredibly difficult time. Please pray also for the fast and full recovery of our wounded soldiers.”

Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst is a combat veteran from Red Oak who served in the Iowa National Guard.

“Please join me in praying for the families of these American heroes. Our Iowa National Guard family is hurting as we mourn the loss of two of our own and pray for the recovery of the three soldiers wounded,” Ernst said. “These soldiers were carrying out a critical mission in combatting the threat of ISIS and keeping our homeland safe from the threat of radical Islamic terror. This tragic attack is a reminder that freedom is not free and that every American owes an enormous debt of gratitude to our brave men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line every day.”