Two Iowa National Guard members have been identified as the victims of an ambush attack in Syria that occurred on Saturday. Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, were killed in the incident. The U.S. military has attributed the attack to the Islamic State group, highlighting the ongoing volatile security situation in the region.

The Pentagon confirmed that a U.S. interpreter working with the forces was also killed in the attack. Three other Iowa National Guard members sustained injuries, with two reported to be in stable condition and one in good condition. This incident marks a significant loss for the Iowa National Guard and underscores the risks faced by U.S. service members operating in Syria.

President Donald Trump has vowed a “serious retaliation” against ISIS following the deadly ambush. He described the attack as an ISIS operation targeting U.S. forces in a particularly dangerous and contested area of Syria. The President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, also expressed his anger and distress over the incident, promising a strong response.

This attack occurs at a critical juncture for U.S. engagement in Syria, following a period of increased cooperation between U.S. and Syrian security forces after the ouster of former leader Bashar Assad. Hundreds of American troops remain deployed in eastern Syria as part of the international coalition combating the Islamic State.

The ambush took place in the Syrian desert near the ancient city of Palmyra. Initial reports indicate that the assailant was a member of Syria’s internal security forces who had recently joined. He reportedly opened fire during a meeting between U.S. and Syrian security officials after an altercation with Syrian guards.

Syrian officials have acknowledged the incident as a “major security breach” but emphasized the overall progress made by security forces in the past year. The U.S. Army has launched an investigation into the attack, with military officials pointing to an ISIS operative as the perpetrator. The deaths of Torres-Tovar and Howard serve as a somber reminder of the sacrifices made by military personnel in counter-terrorism operations abroad.

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Keywords: Iowa National Guard, Syria attack, US soldiers killed, Edgar Torres-Tovar, William Howard, ISIS attack, Syrian security, military investigation